LIBRARY 

OF  THE 

UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA. 


Class 


IIMSCH  <•  MD  <•  ITS  *  RESOURCES/ 


us 


,8  4 


MOEIIS 


Ithaca,   N.    Y.  : 
Journal  .association  Book  and  Job  Print. 

iasa. 


Copyright  by 
D.  MORRIS  KURTZ 

1883. 


l 


PREPUCE. 


When  work  was  begun  on  ITHACA  AND  ITS  RESOURCES  it  was  my  intention  to 
devote  a  large  share  of  my  space  to  the  history  of  Ithaca,  but  upon  consultation 
with  several  prominent  citizens,  it  was  deemed  advisable  that,  as  the  history  of 
Ithaca  had  been  written  several  times,  more  or  less  accurately,  and  as  those  feat- 
ures which  should  give  to  Ithaca  a  national,  a  world-wide  reputation,  have  been 
neglected,  less  space  should  be  devoted  to  the  history  and  more  to  a  description 
of  its  magnificent  scenery — its  attractive  surroundings.  Accordingly  I  have  given 
largely  of  my  space  to  a  description  of  Ithaca  and  its  surroundings— fully  aware 
of  the  fact,  however,  that  my  feeble  attempt  in  this  direction  cannot  do  it  justice 
and  may  not  prove  satisfactory  to  readers  or  critics — merely  outlining  the  history 
of  the  village  and  dividing  the  entire  space  as  nearly  equal  as  possible  between 
the  description  of  its  surroundings  and  its  resources.  Cornell  University  forming 
a  subject  of  deep  interest  to  every  resident  of  Ithaca,  as  well  as  to  many  people 
throughout  the  State  and  land,  claimed  largely  my  attention,  but  I  do  not  think 
any  one  will  regret  that  so  much  space  has  been  given  the  noble  institution.  Of 
the  sketches  relating  to  its  resources — the  manufacturing  and  mercantile  interests  of 
Ithaca — little  else  need  be  said  than  that  the  statements  made  therein  can  be  relied 
upon  as  being  only  just  and  accurate.  Many,  in  fact  nearly  all,  of  the  sketches 
relating  to  the  mercantile  interests  were  written  by  a  gentleman  residing  in 
Ithaca  and  possessing  an  intimate  acquaintance  with  its  merchants, 
and  his  instructions  were  "be  careful  that  no  statements  are  made 
that  you  cannot  substantiate,"  and  I  believe  they  were  fully  carried  out. 
Of  course  it  was  impossible  within  the  limits  of  the  work  to  review  every  manu- 
facturing and  mercantile  establishment,  but  an  opportunity  was  given  every  lead- 
ing manufacturer  and  merchant  to  be  represented  in  the  book,  and  I  regret  that  a 
few  did  not  avail  themselves  of  the  opportunity  ;  but  I  am  pleased  to  state  that 
the  number  of  those  thus  refusing  to  do  their  part  towards  making  the  work 
complete  and  a  success  are  very  few  indeed,  and  I  feel  that  it  is  complete  with- 

222603 


\M 

out  them — that  the  showing  made  by  the  enterprising  representatives  of  the  in- 
dustrial and  commercial  interests,  who  availed  themselves  of  the  opportunity, 
reflects  the  greatest  credit  upon  themselves  and  the  "Forest  City,"  and  that  no 
exceptions  can  be  taken  to  my  assertions.  Although  written  very  hurriedly,  I 
have  been  careful  to  verify  such  statements  as  might  be  questioned,  and  am 
confident  that  the  entire  work  is  as  reliable  and  accurate  as  such  a  book  can  be 
made.  Where  so  many  have  given  their  encouragment  and  assistance,  it  is  im- 
possible to  make  personal  mention  of  each,  and,  therefore,  I  will  conclude  these 
prefatory  remarks  by  simply  saying  that  all  who  have  aided  me  by  either  word 
or  deed  have  my  sincerest  thanks. 

D.  M.  K. 
ITHACA,  October,   1883. 


CONTENTS. 


PAGE. 

Location  and  Surroundings,     .  7-  n 

Ithaca  Gorge,  n-  16 

Glenwood,             .  16-  IQ 

Taghanic,         .             •               •  19-  22 

Buttermilk  Creek,  22-  24 

Enfield  Falls,          .              .  24-  26 

Lick  Brook,       .                        -  26-  27 

Six  Mile  Creek  and  Other  Falls,  27-  28 

Cascadilla  Glen,       .             .  28-  29 
Cornell  University,         .          .30-52 

Early  History  of  Ithaca,       .  52~  57 

Its  Churches,  57 

Public  Schools,         .             .  57~  58 

Its  Newspapers,  58-  61 
Public  Buildings  and  Grounds,  61-  62 

Local  Government,          .  •         62 

Water  and  Gas,             .  62 

Its  Facilities  and  Resources,  62-63 
The  Forest  City  Mixed  Paint 

Works,             .             .  63-  65 

The  Ithaca  Calendar  Clock  Co.,  65-  69 

Marsh  &  Hall,                          .  69-  70 

C.  J.  Rumsey&  Co.,         .  70-  71 

J.  C.  Stowell  &  Son,                .  71-  72 

Henry  Bool,         .             .  72-  75 

Hawkins,  Todd  &  Co.,         .  75-  76 

Ithaca  Manufacturing  Works,  76-  78 

Uri  Clark,             .             .  78-  79 

Ithaca  Gun  Works.     .              .  79-  80 

The  West  End  Drug  Store,  80-  81 

Jackson  &  Bush,         .          .  81-  82 

The  Clinton  House,         .  82-  84 

H.  V.  Bostwick,         .             .  84 

George  Small,         .  84-  85 

A.  B.  Wood,                  .             .  85 

Dr.  F.  S.  Howe,                 .  86 

R.  C.  Christiance,         .  86-  87 


PAGE 

Wortman  &  Son,  .  87-  88 

C.  H.  VanHouter,  .  .  88 

J.  F.  Bruen,  .  .  88-  89 

R.  A.  Heggie,  .  .  89 

White  &  Burdick.  .  89-  90 

The  Patrick  Wall  Shoe  Store,  90 

The  Autophone  Company,  90-  93 

C.  A.  Ives,  .  .  93 

Sheldon  &  Bliven,  .  .  93-  94 

C.  S.  Wixom  .  .  .94 

William  Frear,  .  .  94-  95 

Reynolds  &  Lang,  .  95-  96 

J.  H.  Horton,  .  .  96 

Andrus  &  Church,  .  97-  98 

Ithaca  Glass  Works,  .  98-100 

E.  S.  Esty  &  Sons,  .  100-102 

The  Ithaca  Sign  Works,  .  102 

Ithaca  Telephone  Service,  102-103 

William  M.  Culver,  .  103-104 

Shepherd  &  Doyle,  .  104 

Post,  Sharp  &  Co.,  .  104-108 

Geo.  Griffin,  .  .  108 

Enz  £  Miller,  .  108-109 

Ackley's  News  Room,  .  109 

The  Boston  Variety  Store,  .  109 

Mrs.  L.  A.  Burritt,  .  .109-110 
A  Record  of  Fifty  Years, 

G.  W.  Hoysradt.  .  no-iii 

Finch  &Apgar,  .  .  in 

Andrews  &  Aldrich,  .  111-112 

George  Rankin  &  Son,  112-113 

John  Northrup,  .  .  113-114 

E.  W.  Prager,  .  .  114-115 

Nourse  &  Dederer,  .  115 

Jamieson  &  McKinney,  115-116 
Central  N.  Y.  Accident  and 

Relief  Association,            .  n6 


M\ 


Harrison  Howard, 
The  Ithaca  Hotel, 
Thomas  F.  Doherty, 
Tompkins  House, 

E.  K.  Johnson, 

F.  W.  Brooks,     . 


SOUGHT  S. 

PAGE 


116 

117 
118 
118 
nS 
119 


Paris  &  Emig, 
W.  H.  Willson, 
J.  T.  Morrison, 
James  Quigg, 
H.  M.  Straussman, 
Conclusion, 


PAGE 
119 

T20 
I2O-I2I 

121 
121-122 

122 


ILLUSTMTIOES. 


Mouth    of  Fall   Creek         .  9 

Ithaca  Fall,  Ithaca  Gorge          .  u 

The  mouth  of  the  Tunnel       .  .       12 

Forest  Fall,  Ithaca  Gorge      .  .       13 

Glenwood  16 

Taghanic  Falls         ...  21 

Ravine  in  Buttermilk  Creek  .       23 

Enfield  Ravine         .                    .  25 

Enfield  Falls         .          .          .  .27 

Third  Fall,  Lick  Brook     .         .  29 

Cornell  University  Campus     .  .     31 
A  View  of  the  University  at  an 

Earlier  Period           .           .  35 

The  Sage  College  for  Women  .      39 


The  New  Chemical  and  Physical 

Laboratory 
Sage  Chapel 
Ezra   Cornell 
The  President's  House 
The  Journal  Block 
Ithaca  Calendar  Clock  Works   . 
Bool's  Buildings 
The  Clinton  House 
Autophones         . 
Ithaca  Glass  Works 
Post,  Sharp  &  Go's.  Road  and 

Village   Carts 
The  Ithaca  Hotel 


43 
45 
47 
50 

59 
66-67 

•  74 
83 
92 

99 

106 
117 


END  I  ITS  t  RESOURCES. 


YING  between  two  hills,  the  summits  of  which  tower  about 
seven  hundred  feet  above  it  on  either  side,  Cayuga  Lake,  forty 
miles  in  length,  from  a  mile  and  a  half  to  five  miles  wide,  and 
from  one  hundred  to  four  hundred  feet  in  depth,  is  like — to  use 
an  inelegant  comparison — "an  immense  trough  cut  in  the  great 
plateau  or  backbone  of  Central  New  York."  The  hill  on  the 
west  divides  Cayuga  from  Seneca,  and  the  water  it  sheds  is  dis- 
tributed into  the  two  lakes;  that  on  the  east  forms  the  watershed 
between  Cayuga  and  the  Tioughnioga  River,  and  the  hills  clos- 
ing it  in  at  the  southern  extremity  divide  their  waters  between 
the  lake  and  the  Susquehanna  River.  At  the  head  of  Cayuga  a 
tract  of  land  nearly  level,  two  miles  long  and  one  and  a  half  wide,  extends 
south  from  the  lake  shore,  the  hills  surrounding  it  on  the  south,  east  and  west 
rising  rather  abruptly  to  a  height  of  several  hundred  feet.  Upon  this  plain 
and  the  adjacent  hillslopes  is  built  the  village  of  Ithaca. 

The  entire  descent  from  the  great  table  land  to  the  lake  level  is  from  700  to 
900  feet,  of  which  400  to  600  feet  are  accomplished  within  the  last  mile  of  distance. 
The  soil  of  this  bottom  land  is  a  rich,  deep  alluvium,  and  was  in  ages  past  cov- 
ered by  the  waters  of  the  lake,  shells  having  been  found  on  the  hillsides  at  a 
height  of  40  and  50  feet  which  were  undoubtedly  left  there  by  the  receding  wa- 
ters. Through  the  village  wind  their  way,  forming  the  head  waters  of  Cayuga 
lake,  the  streams  which,  having  come  rushing,  tumbling,  thundering  down  the 
hills,  now  so  quietly  meander  along  as  though  bereft  of  their  power,  exhausted 
by  their  rough  and  perilous  journey  toward  the  calm  and  peaceful  lake:  Fall, 
Cascadilla,  Six  Mile,  Buttermilk  and  Enfield  Creeks,  the  four  latter  mingling 
their  limpid  waters  with  the  deep  and  sluggish  Cayuga  Inlet,  which,  after  reaching 
the  lowlands,  is  of  sufficient  depth  for  nearly  a  mile  before  emptying  into  the 
lake  to  float  the  steamers  plying  upon  it. 


The  streams  in  their  course  from  the  table  lands  to  the  lake  have  worn  deep 
channels  in  the  rocks,  and  the  waterfalls  which  were  once,  probably,  at  the  face 
of  the  bluffs,  have  receded  in  some  instances  more  than  a  mile,  forming  below 
deep,  rocky  chasms  bordered  by  perpendicular  walls.  The  rocks  are  composed 
of  strata  of  different  degrees  of  hardness,  and  the  water  has  worn  them  irregular- 
ly, the  soft  and  yielding  shales  generally  forming  a  declining  surface,  while  the 
hard  and  compact  limestone  retains  its  perpendicular  form.  Thus  it  happens 
that  the  hills  surrounding  Ithaca  on  the  east,  south  and  west,  which  from  a  dis- 
tance charm  the  eye  with  scenes  of  quiet  beauty,  verdant  slope  and  sunny  wood- 
land, contain  within  their  bosoms  in  form  of  glen  and  rock  and  waterfall,  a 
wealth  of  wonders  which  cannot  elsewhere  be  found  in  so  small  a  compass. 

Within  ten  miles  of  Ithaca  there  are  one  hundred  and  fifty  waterfalls — cas- 
cades and  cataracts.  Found  in  dark  gorges  and  in  beautiful  glens,  all  of  them 
accessible,  each  one  possessing  peculiar  features  of  interest  in  connection  with 
its  surroundings,  many  with  special  characteristics  which,  independent  of  the 
rest,  attract  visitors  and  captivate  them  by  the  beauties  and  grandeur  presented, 
nowhere  east  of  the  Rocky  Mountains  has  nature  been  more  lavish  with  her  gifts 
of  wonder  and  awe-inspiring  scenery. 

Ithaca  itself,  apart  from  these  attractions,  is  worthy  of  note  as  being  the  most 
picturesque  and  beautiful  village  in  the  State  of  New  York.  Clustered  here  on 
this  level  plain  and  hills  surrounding  is  a  community  of  nearly  12,000  people. 
Down  on  the  "flat"  broad  streets  cross  each  other  at  right  angles  and  are  lined 
on  either  side  by  umbrageous  trees,  with  overhanging  branches  and  variegated 
leaves.  Handsome  residences,  well-kept  lawns  and  pretty  little  parks  add  much 
to  its  attractiveness,  and  the  business  portion  of  the  village  is  marked  by  spacious 
brick  blocks  of  imposing  dimensions  and  architecture.  The  hills  on  the  south, 
the  east  and  the  west  are  dotted  with  beautiful  villas,  elegant  mansions  and  pret- 
ty cottages,  while  crowning  the  summit  of  the  East  Hill  are  the  magnificent 
structures  of  Cornell  University.  The  view  from  any  of  these  points  is  pictur- 
esque in  the  extreme,  but  probably  more  comprehensive  and  charming  from  the 
hills  on  the  south.  Almost  rivalling  the  far-famed  "Switchback"  at  Mauch 
Chunk,  in  Pennsylvania,  entering  Ithaca  from  the  south  over  the  Delaware, 
Lackawanna  and  Western  Railroad  is  one  of  the  greatest  pleasures  yet  reserved 
for  the  tourist,  for  strange  as  it  may  seem,  with  all  its  attractions  of  rock,  glen, 
waterfall  and  lake  scenery,  this  beautiful  village  is  but  little  frequented,  compar- 
atively, by  these  seekers  after  pleasure  and  novelty — and  mainly  from  a  lack  of 
knowledge  as  to  its  existence,  it  probably  never  having  been  properly  brought  to 
their  notice. 

Running  in  a  northwesterly  direction  from  Owego,  this  railroad,  upon  reach- 
ing the  summit  of  South  Hill,  first  forms  a  letter  N  on  the  brow  of  the  hill,  then 
running  around  the  hillside  continues  its  descent  in  a  southwesterly  direction  until 
it  reaches  the  lowlands  about  two  miles  south  of  Ithaca,  where  it  makes  a  large 
curve  and  returning  through  the  Valley  of  the  Inlet  enters  the  village.  As  the 
cars  reach  the  brow  of  the  hill  the  traveller  catches  a  bird's-eye  view  of  Ithaca  and 
Cayuga  Lake  framed  in  by  hills  covered  with  a  wealth  of'  foliage,  and  while  back- 
ing down  to  the  second  switch  he  has  a  fine  side  view  of  East  Hill  and  Cornell 


MOUTH  OF  FALL  CREEK. 

University,  with  which  he  is  nearly  on  a  level.  Then  as  the  train  again  moves 
forward  and  continues  its  journey  around  the  hillside  another  and  a  different 
view  is  presented  for  his  admiration.  On  the  level  plain,  a  half  mile  below,  is 
seen  Ithaca,  almost  concealed  by  the  tops  of  the  trees  by  which  its  every  street  is 
lined,  and  to  its  superabundance  of  which  it  is  indebted  for  the  title  of  the  "For- 
est City".  The  hill  and  the  intervening  space  between  is  dotted  by  handsome 
residences,  with  sloping  lawns  and  pretty  shrubbery.  In  the  west  is  another  hill 
presenting  a  similar  appearance,  while  still  another,  but  this  time  full  and  unob- 
structed view,  is  obtained  of  the  University  Buildings  in  the  east  and  the  mag- 
nificent grounds  by  which  they  are  surrounded.  To  the  north  stretches  the  placid 
waters  of  Cayuga  Lake,  that  with  its  framing  of  bright  foliage-covered  hills  and 
the  inlet  at  its  head,  might  be  likened  unto  a  large  and  beautiful  hand  mirror.  As 
the  train  speeds  on  around  the  hill  and  away  to  the  South,  this  picture  is  left  be- 
hind, only  to  recur  in  part  again  when  the  return  is  made  towards  the  village. 
And  when  the  wondering  traveller  alights  at  his  hotel  he  is  surprised  to  learn 
that  the  distance  which  he  traversed  about  five  miles  to  accomplish;  might  have 
been  accomplished  by  a  pleasant  walk  of  half  a  mile  from  the  first  switch  down 
the  hill,  and  in  less  time,  too,  than  was  required  by  his  car.  But  this  circuitous 
route  is  a  wonderful  improvement  as  compared  with  the  two  inclined  planes  up 
which  cars  were  drawn  by  horse  power  many  years  ago,  and  the  novelty  of  the 
trip,  with  its  panoramic  scenes,  well  repays  for  the  vexation  experienced  by  the 
hurried  traveller  when,  anxious  to  be  at  his  journey's  end,  he  beholds  the  place 


\o 

; 

at  his  very  feet  and  is  then  carried  away  off  from  it,  only  to  be  compelled  to  re- 
trace his  steps,  as  it  were,  before  being  permitted  to  alight, — but  his  impatience 
is  lost  in  admiration. 

A  beautiful  village  of  itself,  surrounded  on  every  side  by  such  wonders  of  na- 
ture as  might  well  command  the  attention  even  of  the  experienced  tourist  who 
has  visited  the  recognised  wonders  of  the  world,  is  it  not  strange  that  Ithaca  has 
not  already  formed  the  Mecca  to  which  those  pilgrims  ruled  by  fashion's  sway 
annually  seek  the  wa3' ?  Surely  this  can  only  be  attributable  to  that  capricious 
dame's  ignorance  of  the  beautiful  kingdom  o'er  which  she  might  reign  supreme 
with  such  honor  to  herself  and  pleasure  to  her  subjects,  were  she  but  so  inclined? 
But  probably  it  is  better  as  it  is,  for  what  could  compensate  for  the  loss  of  the 
peace  and  quiet  now  enjoyed,  but  which  under  her  rule  would  be  destroyed  ? 
One  of  the  greatest  charms  of  this  delightful  region  lies  in  that  sense  of  freedom 
from  the  domination  of  "society''  and  the  absence  of  all  that  can  disturb  the 
true  lover  of  the  grand,  beautiful  and  picturesque  in  nature  in  the  full  enjoy- 
ment of  his  pleasures. 

Of  the  principal  points  of  interest  in  "Our  Scenery"  a  well  known  writer  has 
said:  "Rome  boasted  of  her  seven  hills,  from  whose  throne  of  beauty  she  ruled 
the  world.  Ithaca  makes  her  boast  of  seven  streams,  concerning  which  she  chal- 
lenges the  world.  Each  of  these  has  a  character  of  beauty  peculiar  to  itself,  so 
that  they  must  all  be  seen  to  comprehend  the  perfect  whole.  Enfield  is  distin- 
guished by  its  giddy,  winding  walk  along  the  sides  of  the  profound  precipices. 
The  ravine  of  Lick  Brook  is  as  utterly  wild  as  the  day  when  Ithaca  was  a  log 
cabin  under  the  hill;  on  the  contrary,  the  explorer  of  Six  Mile  Creek  emerges  at 
brief  intervals  into  the  sight  of  farm  houses  and  cultivated  fields.  The  interest  of 
Taghanic  mainly  centers  in  its  magnificent  fall,  215  feet  in  height;  whereas  the 
Cascadilla,  as  its  beautiful  name  imports,  is  remarkable  for  its  numerous  small- 
er, though  not  less  picturesque  cascades,  not  many  of  them  rising  to  the  dignity 
and  sublimity  of  falls.  Fall  Creek  is  distinguished  by  its  broad  and  unfailing 
stream,  which  at  all  seasons  goes  sounding  through  its  almost  impassable  gorge 
and  casts  itself  headlong  over  the  nearest  and  noblest  of  all  our  cataracts,  the 
Ithaca  Fall.  Contrasted  with  this,  is  the  untastefully,  though  not  inaptly  nam- 
ed. Buttermilk  Ravine,  where  the  stream  is  so  shallow  and  at  the  same  time  dis- 
tributes itself  so  widely  over  the  rocks  as  to  partake  of  the  foamy  whiteness  be- 
longing to  the  product  of  the  churn,  rather  than  of  the  spring." 

But  let  me  be  your  guide  and  we  will  visit  each  in  turn,  sail  upon  the  lake 
and  enjoy  a  couple  weeks  of  this  golden  October  month  in  a  Bohemian  manner. 
And  if,  when  your  vacation  is  at  an  end,  you  do  not  partake  of  my  enthusiasm  and 
register  a  vow  to  return  here  year  after  year  and  refresh  your  body  with  quiet  and 
rest  amidst  these  scenes  of  glen  and  rock  and  waterfall,  the  memory  of  which 
should  pleasantly  haunt  you  ;  your  mind  with  those  better  thoughts  which  this 
communion  with  nature — leading  you  irresistibly  to  "turn  your  eyes  from  nature 
up  to  nature's  God" — forces  upon  you  ;  then  your  "bump  of  veneration"  is  very 
flat,  indeed,  and  I  would  rather  you  went  not  with  me.  As  one  of  the  most  at- 
tractive features  of  this  "ramble"  will  be  the  great  variety  of  striking  objects  and 
characteristics  presented  in  the  different  glens  and  ravines,  they  will  be  visited 


\\ 


ITHACA  FALL,   ITHACA  GORGE- 150  FEET. 

in  the  order  in  which  this  diversity  is    best  illustrated,  and  we  will  accordingly 
wend  our  way,  first,  to 

ITHACA   GORGE. 

"The  Gorge  is  the  strange,  hidden  enjoyment  of  a.  leaf  out  of  Switzerland, 
almost  in  the  streets  of  the  town,"  said  a  writer  in  the  New  York  World  some 
years  ago,  and  when,  after  a  short  walk  down  Aurora  street,  we  stand  on  the  neat 
iron  bridge  spanning  Fall  Creek  and  gaze  up  into  Ithaca  Gorge,  we  feel  that  it 
is  but  a  step  from  civilization  into  the  depths  of  a  wilderness.  Alongside  us  the 
Fall  Creek  manufactories;  in  front  a  dark,  deep  ravine.  Pausing  a  moment  to 
listen  to  the  roar  of  the  waters  and  fix  this  picture  in  our  minds — a  foaming 
cataract,  150  feet  in  height  and  just  as  broad,  with  cliffs  towering  an  hundred  feet 
above  it  on  either  side,  the  water  circling  round  a  dark  eddy  at  its  base,  thence 
struggling  out  a  narrow  stream  through  the  great  shadowy  defile  into  the  sun- 
light, and  passing  under  our  feet,  murmuringly  continuing  its  journey  to  the 
lake — we  will  enter  the  pretty  little  lodge  guarding  the  entrance  to  the  Gorge, 
and  pass  on  up  to  a  broad  terrace,  from  which  we  obtain  a  more  charming 
view— to  the  left  this  beautiful  Ithaca  Fall;  to  the  right  the  village.  Pouring 
over  the  jagged  rocks  in  a  snow  white  and  flowing  veil,  the  water  in  its  descent 
resembles  the  bridal  veil  of  some  fair  young  maiden  being  led  to  the  altar,  and 
is  indescribably  beautiful.  But  were  we  so  fortunate  as  to  visit  the  fall  just 
after  a  freshet,  we  would  see  a  "scene  which  no  equal  section  of  Niagara  could 
surpass,  so  vast  the  volume  of  water,  so  dark  and  sullen  its  hue;  besides  its  peculiar 


Y2. 

efflorescent  appearance  as  it  broke  against  the  ragged  cliff  in  its  descent,  a  lofty 
column  of  spray  rose  like  the  smoke  of  a  conflagration  at  its  foot  and  almost  hid 
the  entire  front  of  the  Fall— above  all,  a  gorgeous  rainbow  spanned  the  stream, 
rising  in  a  perfect  arch  higher  than  the  Fall  itself."  Following  the  walk  winding 
midway  along  the  almost  perpendicular  hillside,  up  and  down,  we  come  upon  anoth- 
er terrace,  from  which  a  finer  full  view  is  obtained.  The  Fall  has  continued  to  grow 
in  impressiveness  as  we  approach, and  seems  higher  and  wider  and  its  noise  more 
deafening.  The  mills  and  the  village  have  passed  out  of  sight,  and  shut  in  by 
trees  on  every  side,  except  that  which  opens  towards  the  Falls,  here  is  a  place  to 
lie  and  dream  the  summer's  day  away.  On  the  left  is  a  vast  ampitheatre  formed 
by  perpendicular  rocks,  which  rise  three  or  four  hundred  feet  from  the  bed  of  the 
stream.  At  our  feet  lies  the  dark,  deep  water,  made  almost  black  by  the  shad- 
ows cast  from  the  cedars  covering  the  face  of  the  rocky  wall  across.  And  as  our 
eyes  wander  from  the  Fall  to  the  giant  palisade  stretching  northward  from  the 
cataract  and  towering  far  above  all  the  rest,  we  are  filled  with  awe  at  the  majesty 
of  the  scene.  Continuing  our  walk,  the  path  leads  us  aound  the  ampitheatre, 
thickly  shaded  at  all  times,  and  through  the  trees  we  catch  glimpses  of  the  water 
as  it  bounds  down  the  ragged  wall.  Then  ascending  a  rocky  staircase  of  about 
twenty  steps,  we  reach  a  plateau  on  a  level  with  the  Falls;  a  few  steps  across  the 
shady  plot  and  we  stand  on  the  brink,  gazing  down  at  the  water  as  it  takes  the  aw- 
ful leap  into  the  basin  a  hundred  and  fifty  feet  below.  If  the  water  in  the  stream 
above  were  low,  we  might  climb  down  into  the  rocky  bed  of  the  Falls,  and  while 
standing  on  the  very  edge  and  in  the  center  of  the  cataract's  highway,  imagine  how 
quickly  would  we  be  swept  off  and  into  eternity  were  the  dam  to  burst  its  bonds 
and  the  imprisoned  waters  be  loosed  upon  us.  Or  we  might  walk  across  the 
wall  of  the  dam,  a  rod  or  two  above  the  Falls,  and  passing  through  the  Tunnel, 
step  across  the  raging  little  stream  on  its  way  to  turn  the  wheels  of  busy  manu- 
factories, and  standing  on  Rock  Island  obtain  still  another  and  even  grander 
view  of  the  Falls,  being  almost  directly  over  it,  yet  sufficiently  in  front  to  observe 
its  whole  surface. 

The  object  of  the  tunnel  was  to  bring  the  water  of 
Fall  Creek  down  to  the  mills  and  other  factories 
located  on  the  bluff  and  at  its  base.  Many  years 
ago,  (when  the  first  mills  were  erected  here  in  1814) 
a  wooden  flume,  suspended  on  a  frame  work  mor- 
ticed in  the  rock,  carried  the  water  from  a  point 
above  the  Falls  around  the  face  of  the  bluff,  and 
down  to  the  mills.  With  the  erection  of  other  mills 
the  supply  of  water  thus  furnished  became  inade- 
quate for  all,  and  in  in  1830  J.  S.  Beebe,  then  one 
of  the  most  enterprising  citizens  of  the  village  and 
a  large  owner  of  mill  property  here,  ordered  the 
excavation  of  a  tunnel."  'He  had  in  his  employ  a  poor,  energetic  but  far  seeing 
young  man,  now  the  Hon.  Ezra  Cornell  [deceased  but  alive  m  the  memory  of  the 
people],  who  had  entire  charge  of  the  work,  and  who  in  fact  conceived  it.  At  that 
time  no  blasting  with  gunpowder  had  ever  been  done  at  Ithaca,  but  young  Cor- 


^==^s:==--      .-.---"  i  •  ..       SZ    -:' 


FOREST  FALL,  ITHACA  GORGE— 60  FEET. 

nell  went  down  on  the  Cayuga  and  Seneca  canal,  where  work  of  that  kind  was 
going  on,  and  observed  the  process  of  rock  blasting,  hired  an  Irishman  who  was 
accustomed  to  rock  drilling,  and  returned  in  two  or  three  days,  and  with  the  aid 
of  five  men  and  1,000  kegs  of  gunpowder,  in  about  six  months  had  this  hole 
through  the  rocks,  15  feet  high,  15  feet  wide  and  200  feet  long."  The  rickety 
wooden  flume  was  then  abandoned,  and  the  water  has  since  been  conducted  from 
the  dam  then  built  above  the  Falls,  through  the  tunnel  and  down  a  raceway  cut  in 
the  solid  rock  to  the  veritable  hive  of  industry  below. 

Having  lingered  longer  than  was  intended  around  this  "first  fait",  we  will  re- 
trace our  steps  across  the  plateau  and  begin  the  ascent  to  the  peak  of  the  craggy 
rocks,  more  than  a  hundred  feet  aloft.  The  path  winds  around  the  amphitheatre, 
just  above  lhat  by  which  we  arrived  at  the  plateau,  for  a  short  distance,  and  then 
by  a  zig-zag  course  conducts  us  to  a  point  about  fifty  feet  directly  over  the  plateau, 
where  we  stop,  draw  a  few  long  breaths  and  enjoy  the  impressive  scene.  And 
while  you  are  looking  down  into  the  depths  of  the  Gorge,  watching  the  water  take 
its  fearful  plunge,  or  tracing  out  the  winding  path  by  which  we  came,  I  will  tell 
you  a  little  story — one  which  has  retained  its  original  form  despite  the  numerous 
tellings.  See  the  path  before  us,  hewn  in  the  solid  rock,  and  rising  along  the 
naked  perpendicular  cliff,  only  wide  enough  for  a  single  pedestrian  ?  On  the 
24th  of  August,  1869,  Mr.  John  Johnson,  a  resident  of  Ithaca,  was  at  work  alone 
on  this  path,  and  while  prying  on  a  crow  bar,  with  his  back  to  the  chasm  below, 
his  hold  slipped  and  he  fell  back  and  headlong  down  the  precipice,  the  bar  follow- 
ing him  !  Down,  down,  he  went,  200  feet,  the  iron  bar  ringing  out  as  it  struck 
the  rocks  and  followed  after  him  !  But  once  he  struck,  and  then  some  loose  dirt 
about  fifty  feet  below  us;  then  one  long  jump  of  a  hundred  and  fifty  feet  and  he 


\k  Y\  \\KCK   KUtt    US 

fell  on  the  soft  ground  near  the  basin  at  the  foot  of  the  Fall.  Will  you  believe  it, 
he  picked  up  the  crow  bar,  looked  around  for  his  hat  and  was  soon  again  at  his 
work  !  Now  let  us  follow  that  path,  and  ascending  a  long  stairway  cut  in  the 
solid  rocks  we  stand  on  the  brink  of  a  precipice  more  than  three  hundred  feet 
higher  than  the  point  from  which  we  started — the  bridge  on  which  we  stood  and 
saw  such  a  pretty  picture.  Beneath  us  a  frightful  chasm  ;  before  us  the  valley, 
with  the  silvery  streams  winding  their  way  to  the  Lake.  Ah  !  step  not  too  close, 
lest  your  head  swirl,  down  you  go  nearly  200  feet,  and  I  will  have  another  story 
to  tell.  A  few  feet  further  on  another  crag  juts  out  twenty  or  thirty  feet  from  the 
mainland,  and  standing  on  its  head  we  have  another  picture  similar  to  the  one  we 
first  looked  at,  only  the  cataract  is  not  so  high  nor  wide  as  the  Ithaca  Fall,  nor 
the  cliffs  rising  on  either  side  so  tall.  Forest  Fall  is  only  60  feet  high,  but  the 
volume  of  water  is  greater  and  the  ravine  beyond  looks  darker  and  more  gloomy. 
Great  fissures  in  this  crag  suggest  thoughts  of  its  early  disruption,  and  as  we 
wander  along  the  precipice  we  are  filled  with  wonder.  How  long,  think  you,  has 
been  required  to  wear  out  this  great  path  through  the  rocks  by  this  once  insignifi- 
cent  stream  ?  Through  a  thicket  of  pines  our  path  thence  leads,  and  we  descend 
into  the  bowels  of  the  Gorge  by  a  winding  way,  rather  steep  and  rocky,  but  made 
comparatively  easy  by  the  enthusiasm  our  "ramble"  thus  far  has  created.  As  we 
emerge  from  a  second  amphitheatre  and  stand  on  the  verge  of  this  second  fall, we 
are  thrilled  with  the  wild  beauty  of  the  scene — shut  in  on  one  side  by  the  cliffs, 
rising  to  a  great  height  and  covered  with  moss  and  ferns  and  shrubbery  clinging 
tenaciously  to  their  sides  ;  on  the  other  by  a  great  high  hill,  its  precipitous  bank 
bedecked  with  the  brightest  colored  foliage,  the  water  pours  over  the  fall  with  an 
awful  roar  and  then  quietly  flows  on  through  the  Gorge  and  disappears  from  our 
view— looking  in  the  other  direction  only  the  bright  stream,  laughing  and  dancing 
on  its  way,  as  though  happy  in  its  sombre  surroundings,  is  to  be  seen  through  the 
trees.  But  we  follow  the  path  along  the  bed  of  the  stream  only  a  little  way  when 
the  voice  of  another  fall  gives  greeting,  and  a  brighter  scene  is  presented.  This 
is  Foaming  Fall,  30  feet  high.  Here  the  Gorge  seems  wider  and  the  sun  shining 
down  on  the  water,  lights  up  a  picture  made  brilliant  with  color  by  the  variegated 
leaves  on  the  trees.  Descending  into  the  bed  of  the  stream  we  walk  close  up  to 
the  fall  and  receive  a  shower  of  spray  from  the  foaming  little  cataract.  It  is  shaped 
like  a  /^,  the  water  shooting  from  each  side  down  into  the  centre  and  being  lashed 
into  foam  by  the  contention,  but  little  escaping  to  flow  over  the  lower  ends  of  the 
fall  directly  into  the  stream  below,  and  is  very  curious.  Climbing  to  the  path  and 
again  following  its  tortuous  windings,  along  the  bank,  we  soon  hear  the  thunder 
of  the  fourth  fall,  and  in  a  few  minutes  stand  on  the  verge  of  Rocky  Fall,  55  feet 
in  height.  This  fall  crosses  the  stream  at  an  angle  and  is  very  wide.  The  action 
of  the  water  when  at  its  flood  has  worn  a  great  hollow  into  the  soft  rock  wall  on 
the  south  side,  which  serves  as  an  immense  sounding  board,  and  the  roar  of  the 
water  is  thus  more  than  doubled  in  volume.  At  the  foot  of  the  fall  on  the  north 
side  has  been  placed  a  turbine  wheel,  and  the  power  furnished  by  the  rushing 
water  is  transmitted  by  an  endless  wire  cable  to  the  Mechanical  Department  of 
Cornell  University,  on  the  hill  200  feet  above.  Although  it  has  not,  apparently, 
the  same  charm  as  the  others,  we  linger  some  time  at  Forest  Fall  before  resuming 


US 

our  walk,  probably  because  we  are  rather  tired,  and  as  we  sit  and  muse  and  be- 
come^ accustomed  to  the  roar,  it  fascinates  us,  our  limbs  refuse  to  move,  and  it  is 
only  Ly  an  effort  that  we  throw  off  the  abstraction  and  turn  away  from  the  spot. 
But  then  we  are  refreshed,  and  when  we  enter  the  beautiful  glen  through  which 
the  path  leads,  we  can  all  the  more  fully  enjoy  its  scenes  of  quiet  woodland  beau- 
ty. The  ravine  has  widened  out,  and  on  either  side  the  rippling  waters,  for  the 
first  time  since  the  Gorge  was  entered,  we  find  a  narrow  but  level  stretch  of  land. 
The  clifls  have  disappeared,  and  instead,  steep  hills  covered  with  a  dense  growth 
of  trees  and  shrubbery,  tower  two  or  three  hundred  feet  above  us.  Moss  and 
ferns  and  evergreens  are  all  around  our  path,  and  here  we  could  wander  about 
for  hours  with  constantly  increasing  delight,  but  there  are  yet  other  and  even  more 
attractive  scenes  awaiting,  and  we  must  hasten  onward.  As  we  near  the  end  of 
this  "Sylvan  Glen",  the  Gorge  again  begins  to  narrow,  and  were  the  water  not  so 
low  we  would  be  compelled  to  follow  the  path  up  and  around  the  high  ledge  of 
rocks  jutting  out  in  front  of  us,  but  as  it  is  we  take  to  the  bed  of  the  stream  and 
rounding  this  point  enter  the  "Colosseum,"  one  of  the  most  interesting  features 
of  the  Gorge.  It  is  a  perfect  ampitheatre  of  immense  proportions — hundreds  of 
feet  in  diameter.  The  circular  walls  are  formed  by  the  perpendicular  cliffs  rising 
to  a  height  of  between  one  and  two  hundred  feet  and  worn  out  thus  round  by  the 
action  of  the  whirling  waters  in  ages  past.  Through  a  small  opening  in  the  rocky 
wall  at  the  further  end  the  entire  volume  of  Fall  Creek  pours  down  forty  feet  into 
the  basin,  and  then  finds  its  way  out  through  the  narrow  pass  by  which  we  enter- 
ed, and  the  only  natural  entrance  to  this  wonder  of  nature's  wonders.  In  its  fall 
a  portion  of  the  water  strikes  a  mass  of  rock  jutting  out  near  the  base,  scattering 
it  in  a  huge  boquet  of  foam  flowers  and  forming  the  prettiest  fall  in  the  Gorge. 
The  reverberation  ot  the  falling  water's  roar  is  almost  deafening,  and  from  its 
regular  and  answering  beat  has  arisen  the  name  of  Triphammer  Falls.  The  rocky 
bottom  of  the  Colosseum  is  level  as  a  floor  ;  above  can  only  be  seen  a  fringe  of 
trees  peeping  over  the  edge  of  the  precipice  and  the  clear,  calm,  blue  sky.  A  few 
years  ago  we  would  have  been  compelled  to  turn  back,  retrace  our  steps  through 
the  Gorge,  before  finding  an  exit,  but  we  can  now  ascend  a  spiral  staircase  and 
soon  stand  alongside  the  flume  cut  by  nature  in  the  solid  rock,  and  which  conducts 
the  water  through  these  narrows  to  Triphammer  Falls  and  into  the  "Colosseum". 
Here  the  student  of  nature  will  find  much  to  interest  him — moldings  carved  by 
the  water  that  are  beyond  the  skill  of  man  to  surpass  ;  great  holes  in  the  rocks, 
perfect  in  symmetry  and  resembling  huge  punch-bowls  and  cauldrons,  and  other 
curiosities  of  like  nature.  With  an  admiring  glance  at  the  beautiful  Flume  Fall 
above,  26  feet  in  height,  we  climb  out  of  the  "flume"  and  crossing  the  frail  foot 
bridge  spanning  the  chasm  directly  over  Triphammer  Fall,  start  on  our  return  to 
the  village.  It  would  be  a  pleasure  to  explore  the  romantic-looking  ravine  above 
the  sixth  fall,  but  the  day  is  far  spent  and  this  must  be  reserved  until  we  have  vis- 
ited Glenwood,  Taghanic,  Enfield  and  other  points  of  interest,  when  you  can  at 
your  leisure — as  you  certainly  will  desire — more  fully  inspect  those  spots  that  es- 
pecially attract  your  attention.  From  Triphammer  and  Flume  Falls  our  path  leads 
along  the  top  of  the  precipice  forming  the  south  side  of  the  Gorge  for  half  or  three 
quarters  of  a  mile  ;  through  the  trees  and  shrubbery  we  catch  frequent  glimpses 


US 


of  the  bright  stream  below  ;  the  roar  of  Triphammer  accompanies  us,  and  has  not 
yet  become  indistinct  before  that  of  Forest  Fall  breaks  upon  our  ears  ;  and  thus  we 
have  a  continual  reminder  of  the  wild  scenes  through  which  we  have  come  until 
we  reach  the  beautiful  grounds  of  Cornell  University.  With  but  passing  glances 
at  the  noble  structures  adorning  the  elegant  campus,  for  we  shall  pay  this  spot  a 
lengthy  visit  previous  to  our  departure  from  Ithaca,  we  follow  the  walk  south  to 
the  Cascadilla  bridge,  stopping  a  moment,  however,  to  observe  the  "Sunset  on 
the  Lake".  A  picture  of  surpassing  beauty  ?  Ah,  yes  !  Down  in  the  valley  lies 
the  "Forest  City",  almost  hid  by  the  gold  and  cardinal-tinted  leaves  on  the  tall 
trees  lining  its  streets  ;  just  north  Cayuga  Lake,  the  hills  surrounding  brilliant 
with  the  same  highly-colored  foliage  ;  gradually  disappearing  behind  these  hills, 
the  sun  sheds  a  soft,  mellow  light  and  reflects  all  the  hues  of  the  rainbow  on  the 
mirror-like  surface  of  the  Lake.  At  Cascadilla  bridge  again  we  stop  and  peering 
down  into  the  cavernous  gloom  of  the  ravine,  with  a  shudder  turn  away  and  con- 
tinue around  Cascadilla  Place  to  West  Buffalo  street  and  down  the  hill,  soon  ar- 
riving again  at  Aurora  street,  whence  we  disperse  to  our  hotels.  Tired  ?  Well 
yes,  but  after  a  refreshing  sleep  you  will  be  ready  in  the  morning  for  a  sail  upon 
the  Lake,  and 

GLENWOOD. 

At  9  o'clock  in  the  morning,  then,  we  step  on  board  a  comfortable  little  steam 
yacht  lying  at  her  dock  foot  of  West  Buffalo  street,  the  lines  are  cast  off  and  in  a 
few  minutes  we  are  sailing  up  the  Inlet.  It  is  a  bright,  beautiful  morning  and  our 
exercise  of  the  day  previous  gives  us  a  feeling  of  exhilaration  which  is  a  presage 
of  the  liveliest  enjoyment.  Rapidly  leaving  behind  us  the  "Forest  City",  soon 
the  long  pier  at  the  head  of  Cayuga  is  reached,  and  passing  the  lighthouse  we  are 
out  upon  the  bosom  of  the  Lake.  Our  little  boat  takes  a  northwesterly  course  and 
as  we  near  the  western  shore  we  observe  a  pretty  cottage  built  upon  the  sloping 
hillside.  "What  a  delightful  location  for  a  summer  residence,"  is  your  natural 
exclamation.  Then  as  we  steam  northward  one  after  another  of  these  cottages 
are  brought  into  view,  some  large  and  roomy,  others  so  small  that  they  seem  like 
toys  ;  some  built  upon  a  grassy  knoll,  others  down  in  a  little  vale — but  all  of 
them  possessing  a  charm  that  would  make  our  occupancy  of  any  of  them  during 
the  summer  months  most  enjoyable.  At  the  foot  of  the  slope  fronting  each  is  a 
tasty  little  boat-house  ;  some  of  the  cottagers  row  from  their  cottage  to  the  village, 
some  sail  and  others  run  their  own  steam  yachts — but  all  add  life  and  activity  to 
the  Lake  on  summer  evenings.  Extending  out  into  the  Lake  just  north  of  us  is 
a  long  "point",  the  fine  growth  of  trees  on  which  is  suggestive  of  picnics  and  ex- 
cursion parties  under  their  leafy  branches.  A  short  run  and  the  little  steamer 
lays  alongside  a  dock  built  at  the  extreme  end  of  the  "point",  is  made  fast  and 
we  land  and  look  about  us. 

This  is  Glenwood,  four  miles  pleasant  sailing,  or  five  miles  driving  over  the 
hills, from  Ithaca.  The  "point"  is  about  200  feet  broad  and  extends  200  or  300  feet 
from  the  mainland  out  into  the  Lake,  forming  quiet  little  bays  on  each  side  of  it. 
At  the  foot  of  the  hills  is  a  rustic  hotel  and  passing  around  to  the  rear,  we  enter 
the  beautiful  glen  from  whence  arises  the  name — Glenwood.  Neither  too  long 
nor  too  broad,  this  glen  is  the  ideal  glen  of  our  imagination.  On  either  side  the 


GLENWOOD 


hills  slope  from  the  level  of  the  Lake  to  a  height  of  about  150  feet.  The  sides  of 
the  glen,  however,  are  rather  precipitous,  but  with  the  bottom  as  well  as  the  hill 
tops,  are  decked  out  in  all  the  splendor  of  their  autumn  foliage.  On  its  way  to 
join  the  waters  of  the  lake  a  babbling  brook  runs  through  the  glen  and  we  have 
followed  it  up  not  more  than  300  feet,  when  our  progress  is  barred  by  a  high  prec- 
ipice. Through  a  narrow  opening  in  its  face,  50  feet  below  the  top,  the  water 
pours  in  a  glassy  sheet,  with  a  direct  fall  of  about  20  feet,  thence  bounding  down 
from  rock  to  rock,  accomplishes  the  remaining  distance  of  70  feet  by  a  series  of 
pretty  cascades.  A  more  charming  woodland  scene  cannot  be  imagined.  Re- 
turning through  the  glen  to  the  hotel,  we  ascend  the  hill  on  the  north,  and  arriv- 
ing at  the  brink  of  this  precipice  again  follow  the  course  of  the  stream.  Here  it 
flows  over  a  rocky  bed  through  a  miniature  "Gorge",  and  a  few  steps  brings  us 
to  the  foot  of  the  second  fall.  The  characteristics  of  this  fall  are  similar  to  that  of 
the  first,  but  it  is  not  so  high,  the  water  falling  only  about  70  feet.  From  the  sec- 
ond fall  on  up  to  the  summit  of  the  hill  a  succession  of  rapids  and  wooded  dell 
make  attractive  our  ramble,  and  when  we  return  our  dinner  awaits  us.  The  aft- 
ernoon we  will  spend  in  rambling  around  the  hills  and  sailing  or  rowing  upon  the 
lake,  not  neglecting  to  visit  the  Eastern  shore  just  opposite.  While  engaged  in 
this  pleasurable  pastime  I  will  tell  you  of  the  contemplated  improvements  that 
will  make  this  spot  the  most  attractive  summer  resort  on  Cayuga  Lake. 

For  years  Glenwood  has  been  the  favorite  haunt  of  "picnickers",  and  the  evi- 
dences of  their  frequent  visits  are  found  in  the  numerous  long  tables  occupying  a 
large  part  of  the  shady  ''point''.  To  picnic  parties,  it  is  probably  unnecessaty  to 
state,  an  hotel  is  a  secondary  consideration,  consequently  the  hotel  here  has  not 
received  the  proper  attention.  But  the  24  acres  of  land  comprising  Glenwood 
have  recently  been  purchased  by  Mr.  J.  E.  Van  Natta,  of  Ithaca,  who  purposes 
transforming  it  from  simply  a  picnic  ground  into  the  delightful  place  for  spending 
the  summer  months  for  which  the  location  and  surroundings  possess  all  the  re- 
quisites. The  old  hotel  will  be  removed  and  on  its  site  erected  a  handsome  and 
commodious  new  edifice.  From  beneath  the  trees  on  the  "point"  the  picnic  tables 
will  be  transferred  to  a  desirable  part  of  the  glen,  the  attention  of  an  efficient  gar- 
dener given  to  creating  in  their  stead  an  attractive  lawn,  and  water  conducted  in 
pipes  from  the  upper  fall  will  play  through  pretty  fountains  scattered  about  these 
new  grounds.  On  the  bluffs  north  and  south  of  the  glen  will  be  built  several  neat 
cottages, the  roadway  down  the  hill  will  be  improved  and  more  suitable  accommoda- 
tions provided  for  the  horses  and  carriages  of  guests.  Extending  from  the  top  of 
the  hotel  to  the  bluff  on  the  north  a  unique  but  substantial  dancing  pavilion 
will  be  constructed,  and — "last  but  not  least,"  an  experienced  hotel  man  will  be 
placed  in  charge  of  the  "hostelrie",  which,  first-class  in  all  its  appointments,  will 
be  conducted  in  first-class  style,  and  "particular  attention  given  to  the  cuisine." 
Here  in  this  spot  seemingly  designed  by  nature  expressly  for  this  purpose,  with 
such  society  as  the  high  character  of  the  establishment  will  naturally  attract  ;  the 
days  passed  in  boating,  or  fishing,  or  reading  a  favorite  book  in  some  quiet  nook, 
with  only  the  babbling  brook  or  its  noisy  little  waterfalls  for  company  ;  your 
night's  slumber  undisturbed  by  that  nasty  little  pest,  the  mosquito  ;  do  you  not 
think  in  the  hottest  summer  month  it  would  be  a  perfect  Elysium  ? 


Again  we  are  on  board  the  little  steamer,  her  prow  pointed  south-by-east  and 
ploughing  at  a  fine  rate  of  speed  through  the  water.  Again  the  sun  going  down 
behind  the  hills  lends  charming  effect  to  a  brilliant  picture,  than  which  the  brush 
of  mortal  artist  could  not  more  pleasingly  depict.  And  when  again  we  enter  the 
sluggish  waters  of  the  Inlet,  and  the  wild  and  the  picturesque  is  lost  in  the  com- 
monplace of  commerce  and  manufacture,  we  heave  a  sigh  at  the  transition  and 
look  forward  with  pleasure  to  the  morrow  and  its  pilgrimage  to  the  highest  and 
most  celebrated  falls  in  this  region — 

TAGMSNIC. 

We  have  a  choice  of  several  very  pleasant  routes  to  Taghanic— by  the  lakfe 
steamers  running  between  Ithaca  and  Cayuga,  the  Geneva,  Ithaca  and  Sayre 
Railroad,  or  a  carriage  drive  through  an  exceptionally  fine  agricultural  region. 
We  also  have  a  choice  of  several  ways  of  spelling  and  pronouncing  the  name  — 
Taug-han  nock,  Taug-hanick,  Tagh-kanic,  Tag-hanic.  As  to  the  name,  I 
choose  the  latter;  route,  the  carriage  drive'  over  the  hills.  Behind  a  spanking 
team  of  horses — and  good  livery  teams  are  to  be  obtained  here— we  drive  down 
State  street,  across  the  Inlet  and  take  the  upper  right  hand  road  leading  over  the 
hill.  The  view  of  Ithaca  and  its  surroundings,  at  which  we  tire  not  looking,  is 
superb  as  we  ascend  the  hill,  and  then  one  after  another  are  passed  the  farms  of 
evidently  well-to-do  tillers  of  the  soil — fine  cattle,  large  barns,  handsome  resi- 
dences with  well-kept  lawns,  neatly  painted  fences  enclosing  the  rich  looking 
land,  all  evince  the  greatest  thrift  and  prosperity.  The  eight  miles  between  Ith- 
aca and  Jacksonville  are  only  too  quickly  accomplished,  then  turning  to  the 
right,  at  the  latter  place,  a  short  drive  of  two  miles  towards  the  lake  brings  us 
to  a  plain  two-story  frame  building  standing  in  the  midst  of  a  grove  of  pines, 
on  the  north  side  of  the  road.  A  signboard  at  the  cross-road  above  had  inform- 
ed us  that  this  was  the  way  to  the  Cataract  House  at  Taghanic  Falls,  but  were  it 
not  for  the  conspicuous  sign  here  displayed  we  would  have  remained  unaware  of 
our  proximity  to  the  falls  and  probably  driven  by  with  only  an  admiring  glance 
at  what  we  considered  an  attractive  rural  hotel  with  remarkably  pretty  grounds. 
That  sign  has  set  us  right,  however,  and  wheeling  into  the  grove  and  alongside 
the  piazza  extending  round  the  front  of  the  house,  we  are  courteously  received  by 
the  proprietor,  Mr.  R.  Mockford,  relieved  of  the  care  of  our  horses  and  are 
ready  for  a  sight  at  Taghanic.  But  where  is  it?  We  do  not  hear  the  thunder  and 
roar  that  is  inseparably  associated  with  our  ideas  of  great  waterfalls.  Rustic 
seats  and  arbors  are  plentifully  scattered  about  the  grove.  Through  a  vista  in 
front  we  see  a  large  open  space  that  is  intuitively  felt  to  be  a  great,  deep  gorge. 
Approaching,  we  stand  on  the  brink  of  a  precipice  and  gaze  wonderingly  down 
into  this  space,  600  feet  wide  and  400  feet  in  depth.  Following  the  course  of  the 
stream  running  through  the  bottom  with  our  eyes,  they  rest  upon  Cayuga  the 
Fair,  into  which  the  Taghanic  is  emptying  its  mite.  A  pretty  sight,  indeed,  the 
beautiful  lake,  whose  calm  and  unruffled  waters  have  been  so  stirred  with  strife 
before  reaching  this  haven  of  rest.  Are  you  equal  to  the  task  of  descending  in- 
to the  gorge?  It  will  repay  you  for  the  exertion.  Then  follow  me  along  this 
dizzy  zigzag  path,  which  makes  one-third  of  the  descent  comparatively  easy. 


£0  \1\\KCN    NUtt   HS 

At  the  end  of  the  path  an  almost  perpendicular  stairway  '"assists"  us  down  an- 
other hundred  feet,  and  thence  by  many  successive  leaps  we  reach  the  bottom — 
for  it  is  easier  to  leap  than  it  is  to  carefully,  step  by  step  descend.  Look  up! 
How  small  and  stunted  appear  the  trees  which,  when  we  were  on  a  level  with 
their  topmost  branches  but  a  few  moments  ago,  looked  to  us  like  the  tallest 
giants  of  the  forest.  Out  into  the  middle  of  the  gorge  and  look  up.  Can 
you  realize  that  it  is  400  feet  to  the  top,  where  you  see  the  bare  spot  among 
the  trees  whence  we  started?  An  "Indian  Trail"  leads  through  the  grove  way 
down  here  in  the  bowels  of  the  earth,  and  as  we  emerge  from  its  upper  end 
we  get  our  first  glimpse  of  Taghanic  Falls.  Are  you  disappointed?  True, 
there  is  not  a  great  volume  of  water,  But  the  fall,  215  feet,  and  the  rocks  ris- 
ing 200  feet  higher!  In  ages  past  that  water  fell  on  the  spot  on  which  we  now 
stand.  *  Approach  nearer,  get  alongside  it,  almost  beneath  it — now  look  up. 
Your  disappointment  vanishes  like  the  thin,  vapory  mist  thrown  off  by  the 
water  in  its  descent  from  the  heights  above.  The  volume  of  water  is  not  great, 
but  it  floats,  comes  to  you,  gently  as  the  dew  drops,  hiding  the  jagged  rocks  be- 
hind it  in  a  light  filmy  veil.  Sitting  here  in  this  great  semi-circular  ampitheatre, 
whose  rocky  walls  tower  400  feet  above  us,  with  dado  andfriezeand  cornice,  the 
entablature  surmounted  by  pines,  the  blue  sky  the  dome,  can  you  not  liken  your 
selves  unto  listeners  in  a  grand  cathedral  to  a  sermon  that  mortal  man  cannot 
preach?  From  the  center  of  the  wall,  over  a  triangular  rock  about  90  feet  wide, 
the  water  flows  in  an  unbroken  sheet  but  a  little  ways,  breaks  into  large,  pearly 
drops,  then  turns  into  spray  and  falls  into  the  pool  below  with  less  noise  and  tu- 
mult than  is  created  by  a  summer  shower.  But  imagine  the  roar  in  the  spring 
and  fall  when  the  stream  pouring  over  in  great  fury,  causes  even  the  windows 
and  doors  in  the  hotel  400  feet  above,  to  rattle  with  a  great  noise,  the  precipice 
fairly  trembling  from  the  constantly  recurring  shocks  of  the  heavy  body  of  water 
falling  this  great  height.  With  a  feeling  of  awe  and  rest  and  contentment  we 
quietly  turn  away  and  retrace  our  steps  to  the  stone  we  had  marked  as  being  the 
entrance  to  the  path  down  which  we  came,  or  leaped,  and  begin  the  ascent.  If 
we  could  leap  up  the  precipitous  side  of  the  hill  as  readily  as  we  did  down!  It 
is  hard  work,  but  clinging  to  friendly  bushes  or  leaning  against  convenient  trees, 
and  frequently  resting,  we  Anally  arrive  at  the  stairway.  It  is  only  117  steps 
— you  have  ample  opportunity  to  count  them — to  the  top,  then  the  balance  of 
the  ascent  is  easy;  and  with  a  cooling  draught  of  water  from  the  crystal  spring 
bubbling  forth  from  a  little  rustic  arbor  near  the  end  of  the  path,  we  return  to 
the  hotel,  sit  down  in  a  comfortable  chair  and  anxiously  await  the  call  to  dinner. 
There  are  other  and  easier  routes  by  which  the  bottom  of  the  gorge  may  be 
reached,  but  as  this  was  the  nearest,  and  our  time  is  limited,  it  was  chosen. 
Anyhow  the  exercise  is  beneficial,  and  gives  you  a  better  idea  of  your  powers  of 
endurance.  Having  dined,  we  light  cigars  and  stroll  over  to  the  "lookout," 
built  like  a  bird's  nest  among  the  limbs  of  a  tree  standing  on  the  very  edge  of 
the  abyss.  Higher  than  the  falls  by  200  feet,  we  obtain  a  magnificent  view  of  the 

*  "The  Taghanic  Falls  *  *  have  receded  something  more  than  a  mile  from  the  lake."  "In  its 
passage  the  stream  first  produced  a  series  of  falls  and  rapids,  but  finally  receded  so  as  to  form  a  single  fall. 
This  is  caused  by  the  higher  strata  being  so  much  harder  than  those  below  that  a  firm  table  is  formed  of 
these,  while  those  below  are  undermined." — Geol.  IV  Dist.,  p.p.  378-379. 


US 


TAGHANIC  FALLS— 215  FEET. 

"bridal  veil  of  Taghanic;"  the  gorge,  with  its  vast  walls — here  the  bare  and  tree- 
less heights,  there  the  densely  wooded  sides — and  the  lake.  Like  Niagara, 
Taghanic  has  had  its  "Blondin,"  but  he  achieved  neither  world-wide  fame  nor  a 
hat  full  of  money.  In  the  month  of  September,  1874,  "Professor"  Jenkins  shot  a 
ball  of  twine  across  the  gorge  at  this  point;  with  the  twine  he  drew  over  a  heavy 
cord,  then  a  rope  and  after  considerable  labor  had  stretched  a  cable  of  sufficient 
strength  for  his  purposes.  In  emulation  of  the  "fiends"'  at  Niagara  the  north 
side  of  the  gorge  was  boarded  in  by  the  proprietor  of  the  hotel  and  an  admission 
fee  charged  those  desirous  of  witnessing  the  "Professor"  disport  on  the  rope 
from  within  this  enclosure.  The  good  people  were  not  thus  to  be  swindled; 
they  flocked  over  to  the  south  side,  and  the  "Professor"  exhibited  his  skill  and 
daring  on  the  slender  thread  suspended  over  this  dizzy  chasm  for  little  more 
than  the  unremunerative  local  fame  it  gave  him.  But  the  attention  of  the  public 
was  drawn  to  the  superior  views  obtained  from  the  hitherto  unfrequented  south 
side,  and  as  a  result  the  Cataract  House  was  built  and  has  ever  since  remained 
the  favorite  resort  of  visitors. 


2.2.  U  V\kCK    KUQ    US 

Our  excursion  to  the  bottom  of  the  gorge  has  left  us  without  sufficient  am- 
bition to  explore  the  beautiful  upper  ravine,  but  if  you  follow  my  advice  you  will 
come  and  spend  a  week  or  two  at  the  Cataract  House  with  Mr.  Mockford.  And 
your  time  will  be  fully  occupied  between  gaining  a  further  acquaintance  with  the 
gorge  below  and  exploring  the  ravine  above — going  down  to  the  top  of  the  fall, 
climbing  up  into  the  eyrie  clinging  to  the  face  of  Eagle  Cliff,  or  following  the 
stream  bed  through  ravine  and  glen  to  pretty  cascades  beyond.  We  return  to 
Ithaca  by  the  lower  or  lake  road.  The  drive  is  made  attractive  by  charming  bits 
of  glen  and  lake  scenery,  with  numerous  little  waterfalls  to  remind  us  of  that 
one  of  greater  beauty,  whose  picture  is  so  indelibly  imprinted  on  our  memory. 

BUTTERMILK  CREEK. 

As  Bohemians  for  the  time  being  we  can]walk,and  the  exercise  we  have  taken 
has  fitted  us  for  the  perfect  enjoyment  of  a  brisk  walk  of  two  miles  south  along 
thsNewfield  Road  to  Buttermilk  Creek.  Starting  early  in  the  morning,  when  the 
sun  is  just  beginning  to  peep  over  the  hilltops,  and  walking  merrily  along  the 
base  of  the  hill  forming  the  eastern  boundary  of  the  Valley  of  the  Inlet,  we  very 
unexpectedly  come  upon  a  mountain  torrent  rushing  madly  down  the  hillside  and 
broken  by  its  tumble  over  the  rocky  bed  into  a  mass  of  thick,  frothy  foam.  So 
unexpectedly  had  we  come  upon  this  beautiful  cascade  that,  momentarily,  surprise 
exceeds  the  pleasure,  for  we  are  totally  unprepared  for  such  a  scene.  On  the 
north,  the  cultivated  fields  extend  to  the  very  edge  of  the  sloping  rockbed  of  the 
torrent,  while  on  the  south  a  dark  forest  entirely  covers  the  hill,  the  "Buttermilk" 
forming  a  dividing  line  between  the  two  extremes.  At  the  foot  lies  our  road, here 
abruptly  turning  to  the  right  and  following  the  westerly  course  of  this  stream, 
which  has  come  rushing,  tumbling  down  from  a  hundred  and  twenty-five  or  fifty 
feet  above.  This  is  but  the  first  of  a  series  of  cascades,  less  in  size  but  equal  in 
beauty,  that  are  hid  from  our  gaze  in  the  ravine,  beginning  at  the  head  of  the  fall. 
The  ascent  is  quite  easy,  the  bed  of  the  fall  being  so  inclined  that  it  presents  a 
series  of  small  steps,  and  mounting,  we  stand  on  a  level  platform  at  the  top  and 
just  midway  between  two  falls — at  the  summit  of  the  first  and  almost  at  the  foot 
of  the  second,  which  is  enclosed  by  rocky  walls  rising  far  above  it.  Behind  us 
the  Valley  of  the  Inlet,  the  "Forest  City",  and  the  lake  bathed  in  the  morning 
sun  ;  in  front,  the  ravine,  with  its  glittering  cascades.  We  clamber  up  the  side 
of  the  second  fall,  about  100  feet  high,  and  soon  reach  a  second  plateau.  The  ra- 
vine widens  out,  its  sides  rise  higher  and  higher,  and  we  stand  in  a  large  ampithe- 
atre  which  closes  gradually  around  in  front  of  us  and  is  there  broken  by  a  narrow 
cleft  extending  down  to  within  thirty  feet  of  where  we  stand.  There  the  rocks 
project  in  a  semi-circular  form,  making  a  perfect  "pulpit''  or  "stand",  about  forty 
feet  wide,  the  narrow  gorge  that  ends  in  it  making  a  sudden  turn  a  few  yards  back, 
and  leaving,  or  seeming  to  leave,  a  niche  in  the  rocks  a  yard  or  two  in  width, 
from  which  emerges  the  orator — the  bright  little  stream — and  standing  but  a  mo- 
ment in  the  pulpit,  falls  over  in  the  streambed  below.  Climbing  the  steep  hill  on 
our  right,  we  make  a  detour  through  the  woods  and  returning  to  the  ravine,  clam- 
ber down  its  side  and  are  again  in  the  bed  of  the  stream,  but  above  Pulpit  Falls, 
to  the  summit  of  which  we  return  for  a  view  of  the  valley  whence  we  came,  by  the 


US 


RAVINE- BUTTERMILK   CREEK. 

narrow  gorge  through  which  the  stream  winds.  The  sides  of  the  ravine  overhead 
nearly  touch,  but  widen  out  towards  the  bottom  and  are  hollowed  out  in  strange 
forms  by  the  action  of  the  water.  The  stream  is  but  a  few  feet  wide,  rushing 
through  a  flume  it  has  cut  in  the  rocks,  with  several  slight  falls  and  with  here  and 
there  a  well  or  pocket  worn  in  the  rock  by  the  whirling  of  a  stone  in  the  long  ago. 
One  of  these  wells  is  twelve  feet  in  diameter  and  nine  feet  deep.  You  are  inclin- 
ed to  spend  more  time  in  this  "pass"  than  as  your  guide  I  can  allow,  hence  I  hur- 
ry you  through  and  back  to  the  ravine  above,  from  whence,  glancing  up  the  stream, 
we  see  some  of  the  most  exquisite  glen  scenery  in  nature.  The  gorge  is  deep  and 
narrow,  the  cascades  curious  and  near  together,  the  rocks  picturesque  and  fantas- 
tic, the  trees  gracefully  and  charmingly  grouped.  Advancing,  we  pass  one  after 
another  of  the  cascades,  set  in  the  lichened  bank,  with  moss  grown  trees  and  curi- 
ous rocks  around  them,  and  when  we  reach  the  fourth  in  this  series  the  scene  sud- 
denly changes.  The  banks,  losing  their  rocky  steepness,  slope  gradually  down  to 
the  water's  edge,  the  stream  glides  along  with  but  few  interruptions  of  cascades  in 
its  easy  descent,  and  grows  more  and  more  brooklike.  Moss  and  ferns  and  ever- 
greens are  all  around  and  quiet  and  peace  are  the  characteristics.  Then  rounding 
a  bend  again  the  scene  suddenly  changes.  Again  the  banks  have  risen  until  they 
tower  an  hundred  feet  above  us,  their  sides  bare  and  sombre  and  their  bases  near- 
ly meeting  ;  the  stream  widens  out  to  about  fifty  feet,  and  falls  in  a  cascade  of  rare 
beauty  some  twenty  or  thirty  feet,  its  width  seemingly  lessened  by  the  projecting 
banks,  behind  which  we  catch  glimpses  of  the  widening  stream  above  us.  Just 
above  the  cascade,  and  in  towards  the  bank,  in  bold  relief  against  the  dark  rocks, 
rises  a  mass  of  stone,  a  pillar  fringed  with  moss  and  ferns,  rearing  itself  straight 
up  fifty  feet  and  tapering  to  a  point  crowned  with  vines  and  flowers.  This  is 
Steeple  Rock,  and  the  strata  of  rock  that  compose  it  project  over  each  other  so  as 
to  form  a  circular  pathway  to  its  summit,  which  may  be  reached  by  the  expert 
climber.  But  first  we  must  climb  cautiously  around  the  right  hand  bank  of  the 
stream  on  a  ledge,  seemingly  cut  out  for  our  convenience,  and  rounding  the  pro- 
jecting bank  come  in  full  view  of  the  cascade,  above  which  rises  Steeple  Rock. 
Then  the  stream  winds  through  narrow  rocky  banks,  the  one  side  steep,  .grey, 
ragged  and  sombre  in  color  ;  the  other  sloping  and  wooded;  there  is  but  one  cas- 
cade of  any  size  above  Steeple  Rock,  and  we  only  too  soon  reach  the  bridge  which 


YtS 

marks  the  end  of  Buttermilk  Ravine.  Were  we  not  Bohemians  we  would  have  a 
carriage  meet  us  at  this  point,  but  the  walk  is  not  quite  three  miles  back  to  Ithaca, 
the  scenery  varied  and  charming,  with  magnificent  views  of  Ithaca  and  the  lake, 
and  forms  a  delightful  ending  to  our  day's  pleasure.  There  remains  yet  one  more 
excursion  out  of  the  village,  and  this  to 

ENFIELD    FILLS. 

For  it  we  engage  a  carriage  in  the  morning  and  drive  south  over  the  same  road 
which  led  us  to  Buttermilk  Creek.     Pausing  a  moment  at  the  foot  of  Buttermilk 
Falls,  to  again  note  this  curious  cascade  and  its  strange  surroundings,    we   then 
follow  the  road  in  its  turnings  for  about  a  mile,  when  a  guideboard    instructs    us 
to  turn  to  the  right  and  up  the  hill.     Although  the  hill  is  long,  it  is  covered  with 
a  dense  wood  of  pine  and  hemlock,  which,  while  shading  us   from    the   glare    of 
the  morning  sun,  presents  many  interesting  features  that  serve  to  relieve  the  trip 
of  tediousness.     No  sooner  do  we  emerge  from  the  woods  and  arrive  at   the   top 
of  the  hill,  with  its  view  of  the  valley  in  the  north  and  pine-clad  hills,  rising   one 
above  another  in  the  south,  than  we  begin  the  descent  on  the  other  side.     About 
one-fourth  of  the  way  down,  however,  another  signboard  directs  us  to  turn  to  the 
left,  and  we  go  down  into  a  deep  little  valley,  hollowed    out    here   between    the 
hills.     At  the  foot  of  the  hill  is  the  "Enfield  Falls  Hotel,"  but  you  look  around 
in  vain  for  the  falls  or  even  any  sign  of  them.     Upon  the  side  of  the  stable    into 
which  our  horses  are  driven  is  nailed  a  small  board,  on  which  is  painted,   "Ad- 
mission to  the  Falls,  10  cents,"  and  in  reply  to  our  inquiry  the  bright  little  urchin 
that  takes  charge  of  the  team  says,  "Down  there  they  are,"  pointing  to  the  rocky 
wall  which  apparently  forms  the  eastern  and  an  insurmountable  boundary  to  the 
the  valley.     And  to    "down  there"    we  then    proceed,    crossing   on  our    way   a 
noisy  brook  going  in  the  same  direction.     As  we  near  this  rocky  wall  we  observe 
a  narrow  "pass"  into  which  the  brook  is  entering.  We  also  enter  and  are  instant- 
ly transposed  from  the  realms  of  commonplace    into    that    of    the  picturesque. 
This  "pass"  is  less  than  fifty  feet  wide  and  its  bare  grey  walls,  rise  to  a  height  of 
nearly  200  feet.     "The  rock  is  of  soft  slate  and  shales,  alternating  with  strata   of 
harder  sandstones,  all  lying  nearly  horizontal.       The  softer   shales   wear   away, 
and  the  harder  sandstones  form  numerous  cascades,  and  also  forms  the    bed   of 
the  ravine,  which  in  places  is  nearly  as  level  as  a  floor.       The   strata  fracture  in 
straight   lines,    and   thus   are   formed   walls  and  buttresses,  marvellously   regu- 
lar, and  adorned  with  frieze  and  cornice  and  battlement,  as  if    some  crazy   archi- 
tect had  mingled  half  a  dozen  styles.     Steps  and  walls  and    terraces    are    there; 
the  narrow  places  have  been  widened  by  art  and  the  way  is  easy  and  pleasant,"  The 
brook  has  left  its  gravelly  bed  amid  the  pastures  green  and  its  way   henceforth  is 
full  of  trouble.     We  pass  down  on  the  right  side  of  the  stream,    which  falls   over 
its  rocky  bed  in  frequent  cascades,  and  then  rushes  through    a    narrow    channel 
like  a  flume,  worn  in  the  rocks.     Crossing  here  by  a  little  bridge,  we   descend  a 
wide  staircase  cut  in  the  rock  into  a  sort  of  recess,  with  regular  walls  and  a  level 
rocky  floor,  alongside  the  stream.     The  ravine  has  grown  deeper  and  wider,  and 
the  sides,  which  at  first  rose  grey  and  bare  and  were  then  covered  with  trees  and 
bushes,  are  now  dark  and  naked.    The  stream  leaves  its  narrow  channel,  at  the  end 


2.5 


ENFIELD  RAVINE. 

of  which  a  well  thirty  feet  deep  and  nine  feet  in  diameter  has  been  worn  in  the  rocks, 
and  also  widens,  but  for  a  short  distance  only,  and  then  making  its  way  through 
a  narrow  Z  shaped  pass,  falls  a  distance  of  about  thirty  feet  in  a  beautiful  foam- 
ing cascade.  Passing  along  narrow  rocky  shelves  and  down  rock  staircases  we  fol- 
low the  stream,  and  in  a  moment  stand  on  the  brink  of  the  great  Enfield  Falls,i6o 
feet  high.  The  scene  has  changed — in  that  part  of  the  ravine  through  which  we 
have  passed  we  were  impressed  by  its  picturesque  beauty;  but  here  is  granduer. 
Above  the  falls  the  scenes  are  pretty,  interesting— below  they  are  sublime,  awe- 
inspiring.  The  fall  is  not  perpendicular,  but  the  water  goes  tumbling  and  re- 
bounding down  the  rocks  in  masses  of  foam.  A  well  made  and  safe  path  permits 
an  easy  descent  to  its  base.  First  down  a  short  staircase  alongside  the  falling 
water,  into  which  you  can  dip  your  hand  as  you  descend,  then  on  a  shelf  cut  in 
the  face  of  the  rock,  across  a  bridge  built  against  the  precipice  and  by  a  winding 
way  among  the  trees — it  is  but  a  few  moments  until  we  stand  at  the  foot  of  the 
falls  and  look  up.  The  precipice  rises  380  feet  on  either  side,  covered  with  lich- 
ens and  ferns  and  crowned  by  the  green  boughs  of  hemlocks  and  pines.  The 
water  sparkles  in  the  sunlight,  changing  from  emerald  into  diamond  drops  and 
back  again  many  times  before  falling  into  the  dark  pool  at  the  base,  and  then 
winding  its  way  through  wood  and  glen,  over  little  cataracts  and  into  the  Inlet 
two  and  a  half  miles  below.  There  are  many  scenes  of  quiet  beauty 
below  the  falls  that  would  delight  the  soul  of  an  artist,  but  they  seem 
tame  in  comparison  with  the  wild  portion  of  the  ravine  through  which 
we  have  come.  We  retrace  our  steps  and  as  we  return  along  the  rock-hewn 
paths  we  are  in  perfect  accord  with  the  writer  who  has  said:  "Probably  there  is 
no  ravine  in  the  world  which  furnishes  more  variety  in  so  short  a  space  as  that 


^  \THNCN    NUft    US 

which  extends  from  the  rocky  entrance  so  securely  guarded  by  the  granite  cham- 
pions, to  the  dizzy  verge  of  the  grand  fall  a  few  hundred  yards  below.  Every 
foot  of  progress  discloses  some  new  and  singular  formation  of  rock  entirely  dis- 
similar from  any  preceding  it.  Cascades  of  every  conceivable  form  and  height, 
and  deep,  narrow  channels  which  sometimes  conceal  in  their  rumbling  depths 
the  fiercely  running  water,  follow  each  other  in  such  rapid  and  agreeable  suc- 
cession that  the  spectator  is  at  once  lost  in  wonder  and  delight."  We  partake  of 
a  heart)7  dinner  at  the  quaint  little  hotel,  go  down  once  more  through  the  ravine 
to  the  great  fall,  and  then  are  ready  for  the  homeward  drive  and  a  brief  visit  to 

LICK  BROOK. 

This  wild  but  pretty  mountain  brook  is  seldom  visited  because  of  its  inacces- 
sibility and  the  number  of  other  and  equally  or  more  attractive  streams  that  are 
easier  of  access.  The  lover  of  solitude,  however,  will  find  in  its  wild  beauty  a 
charm  that  will  enable  him  to  look  at  all  obstacles  as  being  simply  a  presage  to  the 
finest  enjoyment  and  will  therefore  willingly  undergo  the  fatigue  and  discomfort 
attendant  upon  its  exploration  for  the  pleasure  which  follows.  It  is  found  in  the 
woods  about  a  mile  south  of  Buttermilk  Creek  and  is  best  reached  from  Ithaca 
by  a  drive  of  three  miles  along  the  Newfield  road  to  the  white  Gothic  cottage  of 
Farmer  Williams,  where  your  team  may  be  hitched  and  a  walk  of  half  a  mile  east 
brings  you  to  the  mouth  of  Lick  Brook  ravine.  It  is  a  half  way  point  between 
the  "Forest  City"  and  Enfield  Falls,  and  in  returning  from  the  latter  place  this 
white  Gothic  cottage,  about  half  a  mile  off  from  our  road,  forms  a  landmark  we 
cannot  mistake  Hitching  our  horses  then,  at  Farmer  Williams'  stable,  we  trudge 
across  the  meadows  to  the  mouth  of  the  brook  and  following  the  bed  of  the 
stream  from  the  point  where  it  empties  into  the  Inlet,  have  gone  but  a  little  ways 
into  the  woods  when  our  progress  is  barred  by  a  precipice  fifty  feet  in  height  over 
which  is  pouring  or  spraying  the  stream,  the  water  being  so  widely  distributed 
that  it  is  barely  sufficient  to  cover  the  green  and  mossy  wall.  Climbing  out  of 
this  circular  rocky  basin  we  clamber  up  the  north  bank  of  the  stream  and  attempt 
to  follow  a  leaf-strewn  path  through  the  bushes  and  trees.  Through  a  vista  we 
see  a  second  fall,  similar  in  size  and  appearance  to  the  first,  but  the  difficulties  in 
reaching  it  are  so  great  that  we  do  not  care  to  overcome  them,  and  continuing  our 
rugged  wav  soon  discover  a  comparatively  easy  path  that  leads  down  into  the  ra- 
vine above  this  second  fall,  and  are  fully  rewarded  for  our  temerity.  Shut  in  on 
one  side  by  walls  of  solid  rock,  on  the  other  by  a  steep  wooded  bank,  with  a 
gleam  of  sunlight  through  the  leaves  of  the  trees  whose  overhanging  branches 
form  an  unique  covering,  the  only  sound  the  murmuring  of  the  water,  were  you 
desirous  of  solitude  here  your  wish  would  be  in  the  fullest  gratified.  It  is  a  re- 
treat from  the  sorrows  or  the  joys  of  this  earth  into  which  one  can  retire  and  com- 
mune with  one's  self  and  emerge  the  better  for  it.  This  part  of  the  ravine  is 
about  one-fourth  of  a  mile  in  length,  ending  at  the  second  fall  in  the  lower  end 
and  in  a  large  amphitheatre  at  the  upper  The  walk  through  it  is  filled  with  pleas- 
ure, the  moss-grown  rockv  walls,  with  here  and  there  a  crevice  containing  sufficient 
earth  to  afford  nutriment  for  the  ferns  or  shrubs  clinging  tenaciously  there  for  life, 
the  bright-colored  foliage  on  the  other  side  contrasting  strongly  with  the  dark 


HS    RLSOURC-^S.  2.1 


ENFIKLU  FALLS— 160  FEET. 

green  on  this,  the  babbling  brook— all  lending  to  the  picturesque  and  beautiful 
effect  produced  in  the  scene.  Down  a  rocky  slope,  lined  on  either  side  by  the 
dark  forest  and  into  the  amphitheatre,  rushes  the  now  angry  brook,  confined  to 
narrow  limits  and  apparently  concentrating  all  its  power  for  this  supreme  effort — 
a  great  fall  from  the  heights  160  feet  above.  Differing  in  its  surroundings  from  all 
the  other  falls  in  this  region,  this  little  torrent  rushing  down  its  steep  rocky  bed, 
although  not  so  grand  as  some  of  the  others,  still  has  the  power  to  attract  even 
when  our  visits  to  Ithaca  Gorge,  Glenwood,  Taghanic,  Buttermilk  and  Enfield 
make  comparison  unfavorable,  and  we  linger  longer  here  than  at  some  of  the 
greater  falls.  Back  through  the  ravine,  and  climbing  out  of  its  depths,  we  care- 
fully seek  the  way  to  the  foot  of  the  hills,  leaving  the  climb  to  the  top  of  the 
great  fall  for  some  other  time.  Our  team  awaits  us  across  the  meadow,  the  drive 
of  three  miles  to  Ithaca  is  quickly  accomplished  and  the  ending  of  another  day 
finds  us  with  our  admiration  for  the  "Forest  City"  and  its  surroundings  constant- 
ly increasing. 

SIX  MILE  CREEK  SND  OTHER  FULLS. 

There  are  so  many  other  glens  and  falls  of  lesser  attractiveness,  in  compari- 
son with  those  we  have  visited,  but  still  worth  seeing,  that  it  is  impossible  at  pres- 
ent to  pay  them  all  the  attention  they  deserve.  IntSix  Mile  Creek,  which  forms 
the  southern  boundary  of  the  village  and  winds  around  between  the  hills  in  the 
southeast,  there  are  two  very  pretty  cascades  and  attractive  ravines,  in  exploring 
which  we  emerge  at  brief  intervals  into  the  sight  of  farm  houses  and  cultivated 
fields.  A  delightful  drive  down  the  eastern  shore  of  the  lake  will  discover  sever- 


al  beautiful  glens,  the  most  pleasing  of  which  are  "BurdickV'and  McKinney's". 
Burdick's  glen  is  directly  opposite  Glenwood  and  is  only  a  few  steps  from  the 
lake  shore,  hut  is  concealed  from  passing  boats  by  thick  foliage.  Its  vast  rocky 
amphitheatre  and  waterfall  of  160  feet  are  very  interesting.  About  half  wav  be- 
tween the  "Corner  of  the  Lake"  and  Burdick's  are  McKinney's  glens,  which  may 
be  visited  on  the  way  to  or  from  the  latter.  A  few  rods  north  of  Buttermilk  Creek 
is  Barnes's  glen,  the  upper  portion  of  which  is  very  attractive,  having  huge  rocks 
and  several  falls,  one  of  them  being  over  100  feet  high.  But  every  day  that  is 
passed  in  this  vicinity  brings  forth  some  new  delight  and  surprise  in  the  shape  of 
glen,  fall  and  ravine.  "It  is  like  a  volume  of  weird  and  gloomy  romance  bound 
up  in  a  gay  library,  and  there  is  enjoyment  in  the  quick  contrast  of  the  same  morn- 
ing in  street  and  glen,"  said  ''Sentinel"  in  the  New  York  World  some  ten  years 
ago,  and  age  has  only  made  greater  the  contrast.  With  a  brief  visit  to  the  beauti- 
ful Cascadilla  and  the  Grounds  of  Cornell  University  I  will  then  leave  you  to 
seek  out  the  rest  of  these  hidden  joys  for  yourself,  the  assurance  being  mine  that 
I  will  at  least  have  your  thanks  for  my  feeble  attempt  to  describe  for  3-0 u  the 
sights  that  would  afford  you  much  pleasure. 

CASCHDILLS  GLEN. 

Less  than  five  minutes  walk  from  State,  the  principal  business  street,  we  step 
from  the  busy  town  directly  into  the  deep,  cool  Cascadilla  Glen,  beginning  at 
Williams'  Mill,  near  the  corner  of  Linn  and  Mill  streets,  and  in  the  very 
centre  of  the  village.  At  this  same  point  it  was,  in  fact,  that  the  first  set- 
tlers built  their  cabins,  and  thence  the  village  grew  out  in  a  face-like  shape. 
A  neat  iron  bridge  here  spans  the  stream,  which  takes  a  northwesterly  course 
through  the  village  to  the  Inlet,  and  we  pass  around  the  mill,  through  the  yard, 
and  instantly  find  ourselves  in  a  retired  spot  whence  we  more  fully  appreciate 
that  "'enjoyment  in  the  quick  contrast  of  the  same  morning  (and  almost  the  same 
instant)  in  street  and  glen."  Here  is  a  fall  which,  notwithstanding  the  abstraction 
of  so  much  water  from  the  stream  above  for  the  purposes  of  the  mill,  furnishes  an 
interesting  introduction  to  our  ramble.  Crossing  the  brook  on  stepping  stones 
and  keeping  on  the  right  hand  side  of  the  stream  we  presently  turn  a  corner  and 
are  in  a  vast,  solemn  hall  of  nature.  The  stream  turns  two  corners  in  instant  suc- 
cession, forming  an  amphitheatre  at  the  bend  which  strikingly  impresses  us  with  the 
age  and  power  of  these  floods  in  wearing  away  the  solid  rocks  in  such  deep  and 
graceful  curves.  Over  the  rocks  and  into  the  amphitheatre  trickles  the  water  that 
is  permitted  to  escape  from  the  dam  above,  but  in  time  of  freshet  this  double  bend 
is  the  scene  of  mad,  boiling  and  thunderous  excitement  as  the  floods  go  plung- 
ing through  the  tortuous  bed.  Here  on  account  of  its  narrowing  width 
the  glen  more  properly  becomes  a  ravine,  and  we  are  obliged  to  clam- 
ber up  the  north  bank  and* walk  along  the  brink  of  a  precipice,  but  the 
glimpses  of  glen  and  stream  below  well  repay  us  for  the  exertion.  Then  our 
way  lies  through  a  grove  of  pines  and  hemlocks,  the  path  winds  up  and  down 
along  the  hillside  and  we  frequently  stop  with  a  shudder  as  the  thought  strikes  us, 
"what  if  we  were  to  make  a  misstep  and  go  tumbling  headlong  into  the  depths 


V\S 


THIRD  FALL,  LICK  BROOK- 160  FEET. 


of  the  ravine,"  this  side  of  which  is  now  a  steep  wooded  bank  and  the  opposite  a 
frowning  precipice.  li  you  love  the  spice  which  danger  gives  you  may  go  down 
into  the  stream  bed,  but  it  requires  a  steady  hand  and  a  cool  head  to  make  the  de- 
scent by  clinging  to  the  bushes,  and  your  hands  and  clothing  will  probably  be  fear- 
fully torn  before  you  reach  the  bottom.  We  follow  the  path  until  we  come  to  the 
University  bridge,  where  the  descent  is  much  easier,  and  we  stand  at  the  foot  of 
the  Giant's  Staircase,  and  watch  the  water  tumbling  down  as  regular  a  flight  of 
stairs  as  ever  a  boy  fell  down  two  steps  a  time.  As  far  as  the  eye  can  see  above  are  a 
series  of  pretty  little  cascades,  closely  enbosomed  in  rocky  and  arborescent  banks. 
The  ravine  looks  so  very  inviting  that  we  climb  the  Giant's  Staircase  and  picking 
our  way  along  the  bed  of  the  stream,  scaling  the  miniature  cataracts,  follow  on 
until  our  progress  is  barred  by  an  unromantic  dam,  when  we  return  to  the  bridge 
over  the  Giant's  Staircase  by  a  pleasant  shaded  walk  between  the  Cascadilla  and 
an  artificial  brook  leading  to  Willow  Pond,  the  pretty  terraced  reservoir  from  which 
is  drawn  the  water  supply  for  the  Cascadilla  Building  owned  by  Cornell  Univer- 
sity and  occupied  as  a  dormitory  for  students.  From  the  bridge  70  feet  above  the 
stream,  is  obtained  a  most  comprehensive  view  of  the  Cascaditta  and  its  numer- 
ous cascades,  and  through  a  vista  in  the  evergreens  almost  meeting  in  a  pointed 
arch  over  the  stream,  the  village  appears  in  the  distance.  Were  it  not  for  the  mas- 
sive Cascadilla  Building  so  close  on  the  south  bank  of  the  stream,  the  terrace  and 
the  fine  University  roadway,  we  could  readily  imagine  ourselves  in  a  wilderness, 
but  one  from  which  a  stone  could  be  thrown  into  the  midst  of  a  city  and  civiliza- 
tion. But  let  us  take  only  a  few  steps  north  and  the  wild  and  the  picturesque  is 
lost  in  the  highest  type  of  cultivation.  We  have  entered  the  domains  of  Cornell 
University. 


30  UttKCk   KHO   US   RtSOURCtS. 

CORNELL  UNIVERSITY. 

Here  upon  this  gradually  sloping  plateau,  over  three  hundred  feet  above 
the  level  of  Cayuga  Lake,  with  the  famous  Ithaca  Gorge  for  its  northern  and  the 
beautiful  Cascadilla  for  its  southern  boundary,  stand  the  buildings  of  this  noble 
institution  "where  any  person  can  find  instruction  in  any  stody."  Winding 
drives  and  walks  and  terraces  and  lawns  make  attractive  the  surroundings  from 
which  nothing  is  detracted  by  the  numerous  buildings.  Those  which  stand 
out  most  prominently  are  the  Armory  and  Gymnasium,  a  brick  building,  with 
stone  trimmings,  and  Romanesque  in  style,  which  is  situated  nearest  the  Casca- 
dilla; the  Sage  College,  a  handsome  brick  building  in  the  Italian  Gothic  style 
of  architecture,  which  stands  on  a  knoll  a  little  northeast  of  the  Armory;  the  Sage 
Chapel;  the  Morrill  and  White  Halls  and  the  Me  Graw  building,  with  its  massive 
tower,  over  120  feet  high  and  containing  the  chime  of  bells — this  group  being 
an  adaptation  of  the  renaissance  and  built  of  dark  blue  stone  with  light  trim- 
mings; the  new  Chemical  and  Physical  Laboratory;  the  Sibley  College  of  Mechan- 
ic Arts  and  the  old  laboratory  and  machine  shops.  Scattered  about  are  the  homes 
of  the  faculty,  on  a  knoll  in  the  rear  is  the  elegant  house  of  the  President,  and 
back  of  all  the  great  college  farm.  With  magnificent  views  of  lake  and  valley, 
with  on  either  side  ravines  and  rocks  and  waterfalls,  the  site  is  unequaled  and 
Cornell  University  should  be  the  pride  of  the  great  Empire  State. 

Fifteen  years  ago  there  was  nothing  on  this  hill  save  an  unkempt  cornfield, 
difficult  of  access,  marred  by  rail  fences,  gashed  by  ravines,  and  utterly  unfit,  to 
all  appearances,  for  any  use  by  a  seminary  of  learning.  Behold  the  transforma- 
tion! This  rough  hill  has  been  wrought  into  a  verdant  slope,  its  disadvantages 
transformed  into  beauties;  where  was  then  an  unkempt  cornfield  are  now  lawns  and 
terraces  of  great  beauty;  where  was  then  but  marring  rail  fences  are  now  these 
grand  edifices,  so  imposing  in  architectural  design  and  proportions.  From  ev- 
ery land  has  been  gathered  a  wealth  of  apparatus  and  collections  illustrative  of 
science,  art  and  industry  probably  second  to  none  in  the  country;  a  library  third 
in  importance  among  the  University  libraries  of  the  whole  land,  and  rapidly  be- 
coming the  equal  of  the  first;  and  the  largest  and  most  completely  equipped  lab- 
oratories erected  yet  built  in  this  country — a  University  established  that  has  al- 
ready been  acknowledged  to  have  but  three  rivals  in  the  land.  Truly,  here  "a 
great  work  has  been  done;  a  great  work  is  doing;  a  great  work  is  evidently  to 

be  done." 

********** 

When,  in  1862,  the  bill  presented  by  Hon.  Justin  S.  Morrill,  United  States 
Senator  from  Vermont,  "having  as  its  purpose  to  create  and  maintain  colleges 
in  the  various  States,  having  as  their  object  instruction  in  the  sciences  applicable 
to  the  great  industries  of  the  country,  including  military  instruction,  and  not  ex- 
cluding instruction  in  science  and  literature  in  general,"  appropriated  to  each 
State  landscrip  covering  30,000  acres  of  land  for  each  representative  of  a  State 
in  Congress,  the  question  arose  with  the  Legislatures  of  the  different  States  as  to 
what  should  be  done  with  it.  Some  appropriated  it  to  existing  colleges  for  the 
purpose  of  founding  scientific  and  technical  schools  ;  others  founded  new  insti- 
tutions. New  York  having  thirty-three  representatives,  her  share  was  990,000 


32.  V\V\NCN  AUtt   US 

acres,  but  the  course  taken  by  her  Legislature  was  at  first  unfortunate,  the  whole 
grant  being  appropriated  to  an  institution  known  as  the  "People's  College" — es- 
tablished at  the  upper  end  of  Seneca  Lake — on  very  easy  conditions.  For  two 
years  that  institution  held  the  grant,  but  did  nothing  toward  accomplishing  the 
conditions,  and  finally  allowed  it  to  lapse  and  return  to  the  State,  rather  than 
take  any  further  trouble  in  the  matter. 

Among  the  new  members   of  the  Legislature  which  came  together  in  1864, 
were  Ezra  Cornell,  of  Ithaca,  and  Andrew  D.  White,  of  Syracuse.     Shortly  after 
the  beginning  of  the  session  Mr.  White  was  made  Chairman  of  the  Committee  on 
Public  Instruction.     Almost  the  first  measure  which  came  before  that  committee 
was  a  bill  to  incorporate  the  public  library  ot  Ithaca,  to  which  Mr.    Cornell    pro- 
posed to  give  $100,000.     On  looking  into  the  charter    as    he    proposed    it,    Mr. 
White  was  struck  byits  breadth  and  liberality.     There  were  no  petty  limitations 
of  any  sort — no  conditions  as  to  creed  or  party  in  the   controlling  board.      This 
led  to  an  acquaintance  between  the  two  men  to  whom  the  institution  of   which    I 
am  telling  you — Cornell  University — owes  its  being,  an  acquaintance  which   rip- 
ened into  friendship.     Every  day  they  talked  over  some  subject   connected  with 
the  proposed  library,  and  with  the  educational  needs  of    the    country.       In    the 
meantime  the  question  had  again  come  up  as  to  what  the   State   should    do  with 
the  educational  land  grants.     The  "People's  College"  authorities,  it  was  now  ev- 
ident, would  do  nothing  with  it,  and  as  this  was  generally  seen  there  was  a  rush 
upon  the  Legislature  by  the  authorities  of  nearly  all  the  other  colleges  in  the  State 
—over  twenty  in  number — and  especially  by  the  promoters  of  the  new  State  Agri- 
cultural College,  which  had  been  established  at  Ovid.     The  various   college  au*. 
thorities  demanded    that  the    whole  sum  arising  from  the  sale  of  the  land    scrip 
should  be  divided  up  between  them  in  equal  parts.     As  the  whole  sum  likely    to 
be    realized   from   this  source  was    estimated  officially  by   the    Comptroller  at 
$600,000,  it  was  evident  that  in  this  case  each  institution  would  receive   between 
$20,000  and  $30,000 — hardly  more  than   one-half   enough  for  the  establishment 
of  a  single  professorship.     Mr.  Cornell  and  his  associated  trustees   of   the  Agri- 
cultural College  sought  to  divide  the  fund  into  two    parts— one-half    to    remain 
with  the  "People's  College"  and  the  other  half  to  be    appropriated    to    the   State 
Agricultural  College.     The  contest  became  very  animated. 

Against  all  these  efforts  to  divide  the  fund  Mr.  White  took  a  firm  stand,  both 
in  the  Senate  and  in  the  committee.  His  ground  was  that  it  was  an  opportunity 
almost  providential  for  the  establishment  of  a  university  on  a  large  scale,  and 
with  provisions  for  modern  scientific  and  technical  instruction  in  the  State  of 
New  York;  that  this  might  be  done  if  the  fund  were  kept  together  somewhere; 
that  the  chance  would  be  lost  and  the  various  small  denominational  colleges  on- 
ly slightly  strengthened  if  the  same  were  divided.  To  see  such  a  university 
established  in  the  State  in  which  he  was  born  had  been  Mr.  White's  dream  for 
years.  Even  while  a  member  of  one  of  the  smaller  denominational  colleges  in  the 
State,  and  before  going  to  a  New  England  university,  he  had  thought  much  over 
the  needs  of  the  State  in  this  respect.  Afterwards  as  a  student  at  Yale  College, 
and  still  later  at  the  College  of  France  in  Paris,  and  at  the  University  of  Berlin, 
the  same  question  was  constantly  present  with  him.  On  his  return  from  a  three 


\1\\KCA    KUtt   V\S 

years'  study  abroad,  his  first  effort  was  to  enlist  strong  men  in  the  establishment 
of  a  real  university  as  distinguished  from  the  denominational  colleges.  He  laid 
plans  before  the  late  Gerrit  Smith,  who  gave  close  attention  to  them,  and  at  the 
time  seriously  thought  of  making  a  great  endowment.  Mr.  White  offered,  if  he 
would  establish  such  an  institution  in  the  central  part  of  the  State  of  New  York, 
to  add  to  it  the  half  of  his  own  fortune.  He  also  talked  and  corresponded  with 
George  Wm.  Curtis,  who  showed  much  interest  in  this,  as  in  every  other  good 
cause.  But  as  no  definite  work  seemed  likely  to  be  begun,  he  accepted  an  in- 
vitation to  the  Professorship  of  History  in  the  University  of  Michigan,  seeing 
there  the  only  chance  to  aid  in  laying  the  foundation  of  a  true  university.  After 
four  years  of  work  there,  he  was  elected  very  unexpectedly  to  the  Senate  of  New 
York,  where  he  met  for  the  first  time,  Ezra  Cornell. 

The  struggle  regarding  the  disposal  of  the  fund  became  more  and  more  bit- 
ter. But  Mr.  White  steadily  took  the  ground  that  while  the  rule  for  primary 
education  is  diffusion  of  resources,  the  rule  for  advanced  education  is  concentra- 
tion of  resources.  Thanks  to  the  good  sense  of  the  Committee  on  Education, 
this  view  prevailed,  and  although  the  Legislature  was  deluged  with  petitions 
from  the  districts  where  the  various  sectarian  colleges  were  situated,  all  these 
tendencies  to  scatter  the  fund  were  resisted.  While  this  struggle  was  going  on, 
Mr.  Cornell  one  day  met  Mr.  White  on  his  way  from  the  State  House,  at  Albany, 
and  seemed  to  have  something  on  his  mind.  At  last  he  said:  "I  have  five 
hundred  thousand  dollars  more  than  my  family  need.  I  would  like  to  do  some- 
thing with  it  for  the  benefit  of  the  State,  and  I  would  like  your  advice  regarding 
it."  Mr.  White  answered  :  "Mr.  Cornell,  the  most  important  things  to  be  taken 
care  of  in  this  State,  of  course,  are  the  charities  and  the  common  school  educa- 
tion. But  you  can  rely  on  the  hearts  of  the  whole  people  to  take  care  of  the 
charities.  They  will  see  to  it  that  human  suffering  is  alleviated.  As  to  common 
school  education,  you  can  rely  upon  the  State  to  take  charge  of  that.  But  the  ad- 
vanced and  higher  instruction,  without  which  common  school  education  will 
always  be  weak  and  poor,  and  without  which  our  civilization  will  be  of  a  very 
low  order,  must  be  taken  care  of  by  the  comparatively  few  men  who  see  the  im- 
portance of  it.  In  my  judgment,  if  you  have  such  a  sum  to  give,  it  can  best  be 
given  to  promote  advanced  education  in  science,  literature  and  the  arts  for  the 
benefit  of  the  State  and  Nation."  Mr.  Cornell  thanked  him  and  there  the  subject 
ended  for  the  time. 

During  the  summer  after  the  close  of  the  Legislature,  Mr.  White  was  invited 
by  the  trustees  of  the  State  Agricultural  College,  and  by  Mr.  Cornell,  to  meet 
them  at  Rochester.  He  did  so,  and  Mr.  Cornell  then  laid  before  them  a  definite 
proposal.  He  said  that  Mr.  White's  arguments  as  to  the  necessity  of  a  very  large 
sum  being  required  to  found  an  institution  for  advanced  instruction  had  con- 
verted him;  that  he  was  prepared  to  meet  that  view,  and  he  proposed  that  if  the 
State  would  accept  his  proposal  to  divide  the  fund  into  two  parts,  leaving  half 
where  it  already  was — with  the  "People's  College" — and  giving  the  other  half  to 
the  Agricultural  College  at  Ovid,  he  would  give  to  the  latter  institution  $300,000; 
thus  enabling  it  to- have  as  large  an  endowment  as  if  the  entire  land  grant  had 


\1\AKCN 


US 


been  given  it.  since  that  was  estimated  by  the  Comptroller  at  $600,000,  The 
trustees,  including  a  large  number  of  the  most  prominent  men  in  the  State,  were 
greatly  delighted  with  this,  expressing  their  opinions  most  favorably.  But  on 
being  asked  for  his  view,  Mr.  White  declared  that  he  would  oppose  any  such 
measure;  that  he  would  stand  firm  against  any  division  of  the  land  grant  what- 
ever. An  expression  of  disappointment  and  even  of  disgust  was  general  in  the 
meeting,  but  Mr.  White  kept  on  and  stated  that  it  was  clear  to  him  that  the 
"People's  College". would  do  nothing,  and  that  if  Mr.  Cornell  would  ask  in  be- 
half of  his  institulion  for  the  whole  fund,  and  give  to  the  State  the  $300,000  as 
proposed,  he  would  support  the  measure.  Nothing  more  was  said  at  the  time, 
but  some  time  afterward  Mr.  Cornell,  in  the  same  quiet,  firm  manner  came  forward 
and  made  another  proposal.  Both  he  and  Mr.  White  had  satisfied  themselves  that 
the  State  Agricultural  College  had  no  future — it  was,  in  fact,  already  a  failure 
and  had  been  closed  for  lack  of  students.  Mr.  Cornell's  proposal  now  was  that 
if  the  State  would  establish  a  new  institution  at  Ithaca,  N.  Y.,  he  would  give  to 
it  $500,000.  At  the  next  session  of  the  Legislature  a  bill  was  introduced  in  ac- 
cordance with  Mr.  Cornell's  proposal.  As  to  the  name  of  the  institution,  he  had 
never  expressed  any  wish  ;  his  intention  was  s;mply  that  it  should  receive  the 
title  of  Ithaca  State  College  or  something  similar.  But  at  Mr.  White's  urgent 
request  he  consented  that  it  should  bear  the  name  of  Cornell  University,  his 
view  being  that  this  was  not  only  due  Mr.  Cornell,  but  was  strictly  in  accordance 
with  the  best  American  precedents. 

The  bill  for  the  new  University  was  very  carefully  drawn,  the  main  hand  in 
the  work  besides  Mr.  Cornell's  and  Mr.  White's  being  that  of  Senator  Charles  J. 
Folger,  Chairman  of  the  Judiciary  Committee,  and  since  that  time  Chief  Justice 
of  the  State  of  New  York  and  Secretary  of  the  United  States  Treasury.  The 
main  features  of  the  bill  were  that  it  proposed  the  establishment  of  a  real  univer- 
sity, enabling  the  funds  provided  by  Mr.  Cornell  to  be  used  in  establishing  such 
departments  and  courses  of  study  in  addition  to  those  named  in  the  original  act 
of  Congress,  as  might  be  necessary  to  give  the  institution  a  university  character. 
Now  began  a  struggle  both  in  the  Committees  of  the  Upper  and  Lower  Houses, 
and  in  open  Senate  and  Assembly.  The  bill  was  fought  fiercely  at  every  stage  of 
its  progress.  All  tactics  possible  were  resorted  to  in  order  to  delay  or  destroy  it. 
Political  influences,  influences  of  great  corporations,  were  arrayed  against  it 
The  Legislature  was  flooded  with  petitions  from  the  localities  where  the  various 
denominational  colleges  were  situated,  and  every  denomination  was  strongly  rep- 
resented among  the  opponents.  •  The  measure  was  called  by  various  opprobrious 
names.  Mr.  Cornell  was  called  a  "land-grabber/'  a  "land-thief — was  charged 
with  wishing  to  "erect  a  monument  to  himself."  The  project  was  spoken  of  as 
"Utopian,"  "visionary,''  "crack-brained,"  "godless."  In  order  to  meet  this  op- 
position Mr.  Cornell,  at  the  request  of  Mr.  White,  invited  small  bodies  of  Sena- 
tors and  Assemblymen  to  his  room  to  hear  Mr.  White  present  his  views  as  to  the 
measure  and  as  to  the  character  of  the  bill.  In  this  way  strength  was  steadily 
gained.  Such  Senators  as  Mr.  Andrews,  then  of  Herkimer  County  ;  Havens,  of 
Essex  ;  Folger.  of  Ontario  ;  Allen,  of  Chautauqua  ;  and  such  Assemblymen  as 
Henrj'  B.  Lord,  of  Tompkins  ;  Daniel  P.  Wood,  of  Onondaga,  and  others,  be- 


\1Y\NCA 


MS 


came  its  firm  frfends,  standing  from  first  to  last  in  favor  of  the  Cornell  University 
bill  against  political  pressure,  appeals  of  the  sectarian  colleges  and  the  clamors 
of  various  localities.  Thanks  also  to  Horace  Greeley,  Erastus  Brooks,  George 
William  Curtis  and  Manton  Marble,  Mr.  White  was  enabled  to  meet  the  various 


attacks  in  the  New  York  papers.  At  times  the  measure  appeared  to  be  hopeless- 
ly lost.  After  a  severe  struggle  it  passed  the  Senate,  but  having  got  into  the  Ed- 
ucation Committee  of  the  Assembly  it  remained  there,  and  no  arguments  were 
able  to  induce  the  committee  to  report.  From  some  cause,  which  has  never  been 
cleared  up,  that  committee  refused  week  after  week,  month  after  month,  to  present 


HS 


the  bill  to  the  Assembly  even  for  consideration.  Finally  the  friends  of  the  meas- 
ure rallied  in  force,  took  the  bill  out  of  the  hands  of  the  committee  and  brought 
it  to  a  consideration  by  the  two  thirds  vote  required  for  such  action.  Then  the 
contest  thickened — leading  men  were  summoned  from  various  parts  of  the  coun- 
try to  work  against  it ;  some  of  the  most  active  legislative  agents  of  corporations, 
and  some  of  the  most  skillful  wire  pullers,  exerted  themselves  to  the  utmost  to 
defeat  the  measure,  but  all  in  vain.  The  bill  finally  passed  the  Assembly,  but  it 
was  amended.  And  here  came  new  complications  and  troubles.  While  the  bill 
was  yet  in  the  Senate  the  friends  of  one  of  the  smaller  denominational  colleges 
in  the  State  came  in  force  to  the  Legislature  to  oppose  the  measure.  They  de- 
clared their  college  had  never  received  anything  from  the  State  and  that  it  must 
now  have  something.  Among  other  things,  it  was  proposed  that  Mr.  Cornell 
should  pledge  himself,  in  case  the  bill  passed,  to  give  $25,000  to  found  a  professor- 
ship in  the  college  referred  to.  There  were  not  wanting  men  who  advised  Mr. 
Cornell  to  accept  these  terms,  but  his  answer  was  in  accordance  with  his  manly, 
straightforward,  honest  nature.  He  said  :  "Never!  I  will  make  no  pledges  or 
promises  in  private.  Whatever  you  can  induce  the  Legislature  to  put  into  the 
bill,  I  will  consider — I  will  accept  or  reject  it,  but  it  must  be  open  so  that  all  men 
can  see  and  understand  the  whole  transaction."  The  result  was  that  a  clause  was 
inserted  in  the  bill  in  the  Assembly  making  it  a  condition  of  the  establishment  of 
the  new  university  that  $25,000  should  be  given  by  Mr.  Cornell  for  founding  a 
professorship  in  agricultural  chemistry  in  Genesee  College  ;  in  other  words,  be- 
fore Mr.  Cornell  could  be  allowed  to  give  $500,000  to  the  State,  he  must  give  $25,- 
ooo  to  a  Methodist  College.  When  the  bill  came  back  to  the  Senate  with  this 
amendment  another  storm  arose,  but  in  view  of  the  approaching  end  of  the  ses- 
sion and  the  necessity  of  coming  to  some  conclusion,  the  bill  was  passed  as 
amended  and  became  a  law. 

But  there  was  still  another  rock  on  which  the  new  enterprise  might  split. 
The  bill  contained  a  proviso  that  the  trustees  of  the  "People's  College"  might  re- 
tain the  land  grant, should  they  comply  with  such  conditions  as  the  Regents  of  the 
State  University  might  declare  equivalent  to  a  compliance  with  the  conditions  im- 
posed upon  the  States  when  the  land  grant  was  first  turned  over  to  them.  The  re- 
gents fixed  the  sum  at  $150,000,  and  three  months  was  allowed  forrfhem  to  obtain 
this  sum.  The  trustees  of  the  "People's  College"  gave  no  sign,  allowed  the 
whole  three  months  to  elapse,  did  nothing  and  so  lost  the  grant.  And  now  Mr. 
Cornell  came  forward,  paid  the  $25,000  to  the  Genesee  College,  transferred  not 
only  the  $500,000  originally  required  by  the  bill,  but  200  acres  of  land  in  the  town 
of  Ithaca  on  which  the  University  should  be  established,  and  it  might  also  here  be 
mentioned  that  he  afterward  gave  sums  out  of  his  own  fortune,  running  up  his 
original  gift  to  an  aggregate  little  short  of  $1,000,000.  Yet  this  was  but  a  small 
part  of  the  endowment  due  to  him.  With  that  wonderful  foresight  to  which  he 
owed  his  own  fortune,  he  saw  that  a  very  large  sum  could  be  realized  by  the  in- 
stitution through  the  "location"  of  the  land  scrip  received  from  the  State.  He 
was  the  only  man  in  the  United  States  who  foresaw  this  and  acted  upon  it.  And 
hence  arose  the  noblest  endowment  ever  due  for  any  purpose  on  this  earth  to  a 
single- individual. 


\1S 

The  land  which  the  general  Government  gave  to  each  of  the  States,  in  the 
proportion  of  30,000  acres  to  each  representative  in  Congress,  was  represented  by 
land  scrip — that  is,  each  State  received  land  scrip  for  as  many  acres  as  it  was  en- 
titled to  under  the  act  of  1862.  The  various  States,  anxious  to  realize  money, 
threw  this  scrip  representing  Government  land  into  the  market.  The  result  was 
that  the  market  was  soon  glutted  and  the  price  of  the  scrip  went  down  to  a  very 
low  figure.  Some  of  the  States  sold  their  scrip  as  low  as  30  cents  an  acre.  The 
Comptroller  of  the  State  of  New  York,  when  Mr.  Cornell  took  up  the  matter,  had 
already  sold  some  of  the  scrip  at  about  60  cents.  Mr.  Cornell  set  himself  to  stop  this 
as  far  as  the  State  of  New  York  was  concerned.  He  determined  to  locate  the 
"scrip'' — that  is,  not  to  sell  it,  but  to  take  up  government  lands  with  it.  But  the 
difficulty  was  that  a  State  could  not  do  this.  The  United  States  laws  of  1862, 
which  gave  the  land  scrip,  specially  declared  that  no  State  should  take  up  land 
within  the  boundaries  of  another  State.  There  was  an  evident  fear  of  an  impe- 
•riuni  in  imperio.  Seeing  this  Mr.  Cornell  came  forward  and  offered  to  put  himself 
under  heavy  bonds  to  "locate"  the  scrip  for  the  benefit  of  Cornell  University, 
paying,  by  a  process  carefully  specified,  the  market  value  of  the  scrip  into  the 
State  Treasury.  After  some  opposition  a  law  was  passed  to  this  effect,  and  Mr. 
Cornell  devoted  himself,  in  the  midst  of  great  business  cares  of  his  own,  to  ob- 
taining with  the  scrip  valuable  pine  lands  in  Wisconsin  and  farm  lands  in  other 
States.  In  this  he  was  indefatigable,  visiting  the  most  distant  Western  States, 
traveling  night  and  day  through  the  woods,  selecting  lands  to  the  best  advantage 
for  the  future  University  and  devoting  his  own  fortune  to  paying  taxes,  with  the 
other  enormous  expenses  attendant  upon  so  large  a  transaction.  Thus  it  was  that 
he  '"located"  about  half  a  million  acres,  and  with  great  care. 

The  bill  passed  by  the  Legislature  regarding  the  Cornell  University  required 
it  to  be  in  operation  by  the  8th  day  of  October,  1868.  The  delay  of  the  "Peo- 
ple's College''  authorities  in  announcing  their  decision  had  held  back  the  Cornell 
University,  but  at  the  first  moment  the  trustees  were  brought  together  at  Ithaca. 
At  Mr.  Cornell's  request,  Mr.  White  had  drawn  up  a  report  on  the  organization 
of  the  University.  This  was  read  to  the  trustees,  and  as  a  result  Mr.  White  was 
chosen  President.  Nothing  was  further  from  his  expectations  or  wishes.  He 
had  business  cares  which  seemed  to  attach  him  closely  to  the  place  where  his 
family  lived,  Syracuse,  N.  Y.  He  was  also  greatly  attached  to  his  duties  in  the 
State  Senate,  and  his  work  as  Professor  in  the  University  of  Michigan.  Impor- 
tant business  cares  were  upon  him,  and  he  had  just  been  elected  to  a  professor- 
ship at  Yale  College,  which,  if  he  returned  to  professional  life,  was  just  what  he 
wished  to  take.  But  the  earnestness  of  Mr.  Cornell,  the  importance  of  making 
a  proper  beginning,  led  him  to  accept  the  Presidency  of  the  new  University 
as  a  temporary  matter.  He  had  no  idea  of  remaining  in  it  for  more  than  a  few 
months.  His  purpose  was,  in  the  meantime,  to  get  the  new  enterprise  started, 
and  to  aid  in  selecting  a  man  who  should  carry  it  on.  Shortly  after,  at  the  re- 
quest of  Mr.  Cornell,  the  buildings  having  been  begun  and  some  professors 
called,  President  White  was  asked  to  go  to  Europe  in  order  to  study  the  organ- 
ization of  various  technical  institutions,  to  secure  some  professors  and  to  pur- 
chase books  and  apparatus.  With  this  request  he  complied,  travelling  through 


MS 

England,  France  and  Germany,  looking  closely  at  agricultural  and  technical 
schools  and  making  large  purchases  of  illustrative  material  and  books  of  all 
sorts.  Besides  this  he  had  the  good  fortune  to  interest  and  secure  Mr.  Goldwin 
Smith,  then  Professor  of  History  at  the  University  of  Oxford.and  highly  esteemed 
on  both  sides  of  the  Atlantic,  for  the  Department  of  English  History,  and  Dr. 
James  Law,  already  an  authority  in  veterinary  science  at  the  London  College, 
for  the  College  of  Agriculture. 

At  the  time  required  by  the  charter  the  University  was  open.  There  were 
very  great  difficulties — but  two  buildings  were  ready,  and  these  were  incomplete. 
There  were  no  doors  upon  the  student's  rooms,  no  bridges  across  the  streams  and 
ravines — in  fact,  the  difficulties  were  distressing.  The  interest  in  the  new  insti- 
tution was  great,  however,  and  from  all  parts  of  the  State  people  flocked  in  to  the 
opening  exercises.  Although  all  went  well,  there  were  signs  not  at  all  pleasing. 
From  all  the  denominatibnal  colleges  and  their  supporters  in  the  pulpit  and  in 
the  sectarian  press,  began  to  come  mutterings.  The  first  sign  was  when  the 
simple  exercises  at  the  opening  of  the  University  were  attacked  by  a  religious 
paper,  so-called,  most  vehemently.  Then  it  was  that  Mr.  Cornell,  President 
White  and  their  associates  saw  what  they  had  to  face,  for  no  campaign,  even  in 
the  bitterness  of  a  political  contest,  was  ever  more  skillful  for  perverting  and 
even  falsifying  fact  than  were  some  of  the  sectarian  papers  at  that  time.  Every 
utterance  was  twisted  from  its  true  meaning.  Words  were  put  into  the  mouths 
both  of  Mr.  Cornell  and  President  White  which  they  never  dreamed  of  uttering. 
From  various  pulpits  and  papers  went  out  the  declaration  that  the  new  institu- 
tion, being  unsectarian,  must  needs  be  godless,  atheistic,  materialistic.  The 
simple  fact  was,  that  the  various  colleges  of  the  State,  founded  by  different  de- 
nominations, became  alarmed  at  the  number  of  students  flocking  to  the  new 
institution.  Moreover,  the  older  colleges  had  their  graduates  as  teachers  and 
professors  in  most  of  the  academies  and  high  schools  in  the  State,  and  these 
made  common  cause  with  the  colleges  from  which  they  came  and  the  religious 
organizations  to  which  they  belonged.  Their  hostility,  too,  was  increased  by  the 
the  fact  that  the  new  institution,  while  it  made  ample  provision  for  classical  stu- 
dies, also  made  more  full  provision  than  had  heretofore  been  made  in  the  inter- 
ior of  the  State,  for  scientific  and  technical  studies.  This  was  at  once  regarded 
as  an  attack  on  classical  studies,  and  any  one  connected  with  any  preparatory 
school  where  a  little  Latin  and  less  Greek  were  taught,  came  to  look  upon  the 
new  University  as  an  enemy. 

The  charter  of  the  University  from  the  State  had  declared  that  persons  of  any 
religious  and  persons  of  no  religious  sect  shall  be  equally  eligible  to  all  offices 
and  appointments,  but  it  had  also  declared  regarding  the  governing  body  that  a 
majority  of  the  trustees  should  not  be  of  any  one  religious  sect.  This  clause 
would  certainly  seenr  to  erect  a  complete  barrier  against  religious  control.  At 
the  \rorst,  the  institution  was  on  the  same  footing  with  the  public  school  system  of 
the  State.  All  such  appeals  were  in  vain,  the  war  upon  the  University  grew 
more  and  more  bitter.  But  students  came  in  spite  of  this,  and  in  large  numbers, 
and  the  work  went  on.  A  large  faculty  was  gradually  brought  together,  mainly 
graduates  of  the  New  England  colleges  who  had  supplemented  their  studies  at 


KttQ    MS 


European  Universities.  Illustrative  material  of  all  sorts  was  increased.  Mr. 
Cornell  added  to  his  previous  gifts  various  large  collections  in  Natural  History  ; 
and  other  friends  came  forward  to  help.  It  was  indeed,  one  of  the  most  interest- 
ing results  of  the  war  waged  by  various  denominational  institutions  and  journals 


and  pulpits  upon  the  institution  that  so  many  wealthy  men  attached  to  the  same 
denominations  came  forward  and  contributed  large  sums  to  the  institution.  Mr. 
John  McGraw,  of  Ithaca,  gave  $120,000  to  erect  a  building  for  the  Natural  History 
collections  and  lecture  rooms.  Mr.  Hiram  Sibley  gave  then  and  afterwards  about 
$100,000  for  building,  equipment  and  endowment  for  the  Department  of  Mechan- 
ical Engineering.  Mr.  E.  B.  Morgan,  of  Aurora,  gave  a  considerable  sum  for 


HS 


scientific  expeditions  to  Brazil,  headed  by  one  of  the  University  professors,  of 
which  a  leading  object  was  to  add  to  the  University  collection  in  Natural  His- 
tory. Goldwin  Smith  gave  his  library  in  English  History  and  Law,  and  a  large 
sum  of  money  in  addition.  Mr.  Dean  Sage  gave  $30,000  for  the  endowment  of 
the  University  pulpit,  thus  providing  for  two  sermons  each  Sunday  from  the  most 
eminent  divines  ot  the  several  Christian  denominations,  throughout  the  Fall  and 
Spring  terms  of  the  University  year.  Mr.  Henry  W.  Sage  gave  something  over 
$340,000  for  a  College  for  Women,  and  for  other  purposes.  Mr.  William  Kelly 
gave  $4, coo  for  a  Mathematical  Library,  and  President  White  gave  over  a  hundred 
thousand  dollars  for  various  purposes  of  the  institution.  Mr.  W.  H.  Sage  gave 
$3,500  for  a  specific  purpose,  and  various  other  individuals  gave  sums,  large  and 
small,  for  different  purposes.  The  attacks  on  the  University  then,  while  they 
doubtless  kept  many  young  men  from  its  privileges  by  false  statements,  arousing 
prejudice,  really  stirred  the  friends  of  the  institution  to  greater  endeavors  than 
they  would  ever  have  made  otherwise. 

There  were  other  difficulties  to  meet,  however.  The  number  of  names  pre- 
sented for  positions  in  the  faculty  of  the  institution  was  enormous  ;  and  many  of 
the  disappointed  candidates  and  their  friends  were  intensely  disgusted  at  the 
short-sightedness  of  an  institution  which  failed  to  recognize  their  claims.  Multi- 
tudes of  the  people  who  infest  and  amuse  American  society  were  also  greatly  disap- 
pointed that  their  crotchets  were  not  attached  to  the  University,  and  henceforth 
many  of  them  devoted  themselves  to  showing  that  it  could  not  possibly  succeed. 
All  these  attacks  seemed  but  to  stimulate  the  friends  of  the  institution  to  new  ex- 
ertions. Then  came  another  class.  It  began  to  be  seen  that  the  amount  to  be 
realized  from  the  "location"  ot  the  lands  would  be  very  large.  Sundry  journals 
and  persons,  partly  from  local  jealousy,  partly  stirred  by  denominational  influ- 
ence, partly  yielding  to  a  wish  to  make  a  sensation  by  attacking  a  man  so  honest 
as  Ezra  Cornell,  began  to  present  him  to  the  State  as  a  man  whose  only  purpose 
was  to  make  a  great  fortune  for  himself  out  of  the  land.  They  called  him  "land 
thief  and  "land  grabber".  At  first  Mr.  Cornell  prepared  careful  statements 
showing  the  falsity  of  these  charges.  They  produced  no  effect  whatever.  The^e 
papers  only  redoubled  their  fury,  reiterating  the  charges,  inventing  new  statements 
in  place  of  those  which  Mr.  Cornell  had  exploded.  At  last  this  series  of  at- 
tacks was  brought  to  a  head  through  an  onslaught  made  in  the  Legislature  of  the 
State  by  a  member  of  that  body  from  the  district  which  had  hoped  to  have  the  en- 
dowment, but  through  its  own  want  of  public  spirit  had  lost  it.  In  his  speech 
the  honorable  gentleman  berated  Mr.  Cornell  at  great  length  before  the  State  as 
simply  actuated  by  selfish  motives  and  perpetrating  a  gigantic  fraud  on  the  State 
— in  fact,  as  nothing  more  or  less  than  a  criminal  who  ought  to  be  brought  to  jus- 
tice. Mr.  Cornell  had  been  born  in  the  State  and  had  lived  in  it  sixty  years.  He 
was  known  from  one  end  of  it  to  the  other  as  a  man  of  the  noblest  and  purest 
character.  All  made  no  difference.  The  speech  against  him  was  printed  at  length 
in  the  leading  papers  of  the  State,  and  he  was  called  upon  to  explain.  He  took 
all  these  attacks  in  the  most  quiet,  philosophical  way.  When  President  White 
lamented  them  to  him,  he  simply  said  that  he  rejoiced  that  they  had  come  now  in- 
stead of  after  his  death  ;  that  now  he  was  able  to  answer  them.  He  immediately 


VXS   R1SOTOCLS.  k\ 

telegraphed  and  wrote  to  General  Dix,  then  Governor  of  the  State,  requesting  him 
to  appoint  a  committee  to  investigate  his  acts,  and  that  such  committee  should 
have  in  it  a  majority  of  men  opposed  to  him  politically.  A  committee  was  ap- 
pointed composed  of  Horatio  Seymour,  John  D.  Van  Buren  and  William  A. 
Wheeler — three  names  honored  throughout  the  entire  State.  The  investigation 
made  by  them  was  most  thorough.  Its  result  was  a  complete  vindication  of  Mr. 
Cornell  in  every  particular  ;  and  not  only  vindication  but  commendation  of  a  very 
high  sort,  which  coming  as  it  did  from  a  committee  in  which  two  of  the  members 
were  politically  opposed  to  Mr.  Cornell,  carried  great  weight.  The  truth  of  his- 
tory must  be  mentioned,  however,  that,'  although  the  opinion  of  all  thoughtful  men 
was  turned  in  Mr.  Cornell's  favor  by  these  same  journals,  and  although  the  mem- 
ber of  the  Assembly  who  made  this  most  bitter  attack  virtually  retracted  his  state- 
ments, one  leading  newspaper  in  the  State,  which  was  in  the  interest  of  a  denom- 
inational college,  persisted  in  reiterating  the  charges  until  Mr.  Cornell's  death. 


Despite  the  attacks  continually  made  upon  it,  Cornell  University  throve  and 
steadily  advanced  towards  the  objective  point — a  real  university.  When  the 
institution  was  organized,  its  trustees  thought  it  their  duty  under  the  charter  to 
establish  not  only  certain  general,  classical,  scientific,  philosophical,  but  certain 
special  courses  having  reference  to  the  development  of  the  great  industries  of 
the  country.  All  was  experiment.  No  one  knew  how  many  would  wish  to  take 
these  courses.  It  was  thought  best  to  set  the  standard  low  at  first,  and  gradually 
to  raise  it.  In  the  first  years  neither  algebra  nor  geometry  was  required — the 
result  was  that  students  were  largely  drawn  from  the  upper  classes  of  the  high 
schools  and  the  first  year  of  its  courses  duplicated  high-school  work.  This  was 
found  to  be  unjust  to  the  schools,  and  to  the  industrial  as  well  as  the  educational 
interests  of  the  State.  Then  the  standard  was  gradually  raised,  and  has  contin- 
ued to  be  steadily  raised,  making  the  examinations  more  and  more  careful,  down 
to  the  present  time.  For  a  time  there  was  a  considerable  falling  off,  but  the  tide 
has  turned  and  an  upward  movement  has  begun — Cornell  University  is  no 
longer  a  dream,  but  a  fact.  Never  were  its  circumstances  more  favorable,  never 
were  its  prospects  so  satisfactory  as  now;  the  faith  of  its  President  has  been  jus- 
tified; his  promises  more  than  fulfilled;  and  that  his  prophecy,  "the  progress  of 
the  next  five  years  is  to  outstrip  by  far  what  has  been  done  in  the  past  ten/'  will 
be  as  fully  realized,  no  person  of  an  unprejudiced  mind  has  the  least  doubt. 

Upon  the  265  acres  comprising  the  University  grounds  have  been  erected 
sixteen  University  buildings,  varying  in  cost  from  $3,000  to  over  $150,000.  Of 
these  sixteen  buildings,  the  cost  of  four,  and  half  the  cost  of  another,  has  been 
borne  by  th.e  University,  leaving  eleven  and  one-half  as  the  gifts  of  individuals, 
and  among  these  gifts  are  the  two  most  expensive  of  all,  to  both  of  which  have 
been  added  sums  more  than  sufficient  to  maintain  them  in  good  repair.  The 
appended  table  will  show  the  cost  of  these  buildings  and  the  year  in  which 
erected: 


MS 

BUILDING  YEAR  COST 

1.  Cascadilla  Place        -  1868  $37,010.94 

2.  Morrill  Hall  1868  -       70,111.25 

3.  McGraw  Natural  History  Building             1871  -                                  120,000.00 

4.  Sibley  College  of   Mechanic  Arts           -     1871  -      28,821.14 

5.  President's    House         -  1871  -                                  50,000.00 

6.  White  Hall  1873  -        80,485.16 

7.  Old  Laboratory        -  -         1873  -                                   23,699.12 

8.  South  Farm  Building  -        -     1873  5,000.00 

9.  Sage  Chapel  1874  -                                   30,000.00 

10.  Sage  College  -     1875  -  -      150,000.00 

11.  North  Farm  Building  1879  -      6,000.00 

12.  Botanical  Laboratory  and  Greenhouses     1882  15,000.00 

13.  Sibley  Foundry  1882  3,000.00 

14.  New  Laboratory        -  -     1883  -  90,000.00 

15.  Armory  and  Gymnasium  -  1883  -     32,000.00 

16.  Memorial  Chapel  -         1883  -  20,000.00 

Total  cost  of  Buildings  $761,127.61 

Farm    and    Grounds  99,093.91 

Total  $860,221.52 

In  the  year  1881  Mrs  Jennie  McGraw  Fiskc  bequeathed  to  the  University 
$50,000  for  the  maintenance  of  the  McGraw  Natural  History  building,  given  by 
her  father;  $40  ooo  for  the  erection  and  maintenance  of  a  Cottage  Hospital  for 
students,  and  the  residue  of  her  estate,  amounting  to  nearly  a  million  of  dollars, 
to  the  University  Library.  Included  in  this  residue  was  the  beautiful  house 
erected  for  her  own  residence  on  grounds  adjoining  the  University  Campus. 
But  the  legality  of  these  bequests  has  been  contested,  and  the  matter  is  at  pres- 
ent under  litigation.  Had  the  McGraw-Fiske  mansion  been  included  in  the 
above  list  of  buildings,  it  would  have  swelled  the  total  by  $210,000.  In  addition  to 
the  cost  of  buildings  and  grounds,  the  total  cost,  of  the  equipment  of  departments 
up  to  the  present  time  is  about  $350,000,  so  that  on  the  permanent  equipment  in 
the  form  of  buildings,  grounds,  farm,  library,  machinery  and  apparatus  and  illus- 
trative collections,  all  in  constant  use  for  purposes  of  instruction,  there  has  been 
expended  up  to  this  time  over  twelve  hundred  thousand  dollars  ;  and  a  very 
large  share  of  this  sum  has  come  from  the  private  gifts  of  public-spirited  citizens. 
During  the  past  two  years  alone  the  following  additions  have  been  made:  (i)  A 
large  addition  to  the  botanical  laboratories  and  conservatories — the  gifts  of  Hon. 
Henry  W.  Sage — at  a  cost  of  $15,000.  (2)  The  building  for  the  use  of  the  depart- 
ments of  chemistry  and  physics— the  largest  and  best  equipped  thus  far  erected  in 
the  United  States — at  a  cost  of  $90,000.  (3)  The  armory  and  gymnasium,  60x160 
feet  and  30  feet  high,  with  a  wing  containing  baths,  dressing  rooms,  etc.,  at  a 
cost  of  $32,000.  This  gymnasium  is  under  the  charge  of  an  experienced  physi- 
cian and  gymnast,  and  physical  training  has  the  same  careful  attention  as  mental 
training.  (4)  An  addition  to  the  Sibley  College  of  Mechanic  Arts  -the  gift  of 
Hon.  Hiram  Sibley — for  the  practical  instruction  of  mechanical  engineers  in 
foundry  work,  at  a  cost  of  $3,000.  (5)  A  special  collection  of  models  of  mechani- 
cal movements,  being  duplicates  of  the  celebrated  Reuleaux  collection  of  kine- 
matic models  made  for  the  Imperial  College  of  Mechanical  Engineering  at  Ber- 
lin— also  gift  the  of  Mr.  Sibley  at  a  cost  of  $8,000.  (6)  A  collection  of  instruments, 


MS 


THE  NEW  CHEMICAL  AND  PHYSICAL  LABORATORY. 

photographs  and  models  of  bridges,  roofs,  railway  plants,  locks  for  slack  wa- 
ter navigation,  etc.,  for  the  use  of  the  department  of  Civil  Engineering,  from 
Paris  and  Vienna, at  a  cost  of  over  $10,000.  (7)  Very  large  additions  to  the  chemical 
and  physical  apparatus,  at  a  cost  of  $23,000.  (8)  Considerable  additions  to  the 
Museum  of  Natural  History,  at  a  cost  of  $10,000.  (9)  Sundry  additions  to  the  Li- 
brary.at  a  cost  of  about  $35,000.  (10)  The  residence  and  grounds  of  the  late  Mrs.  Jen- 
nie McGraw- Fiske,  being  part  of  the  residuary  interest  of  her  estate,  together  with 
the  paintings,  statuary,bronzes.  tapestries  and  the  extensive  collection  of  exam- 
ples of  art  as  applied  to  industry,  which  at  present  form  an  art  museum.  The  cost 
of  the  building, with  its  contents  and  grounds,  as  already  stated  exceeds  $200,000. 
(ii)  The  McGraw-Fiske  Hospital  for  students,  provided  for  in  Mrs.  Fiske's  will 
by  a  bequest  of  $40,000.  (12)  A  memorial  chapel  and  mausoleum  in  honor  of 
John  McGraw,  Mrs.  Jennie  McGraw-Fiske  and  Ezra  Cornell,  on  the  University 
grounds,  by  the  trustees  of  the  University  and  the  executors  of  the  estate  of  John 
McGraw  and  Mrs.  Fiske,  at  a  cost  of  $20,000.  The  liberality  of  the  benefactors 
who  have  from  time  to  time  endowed  the  University  renders  it  almost  independ- 
ent of  students' fees,  .and  but  one-twentieth  of  all  its  revenue  comes  from  this 
source.  At  the  same  time, the  advantages  it  enjoys  in  buildings,  equipments,  etc., 
are  unsurpassed  by  any,  and  equalled  by  few  of  the  colleges  of  the  country. 

Cornell  University  differs  from  most  educational  institutions  in  the  United 
States  in  (i)  the  addition  to  the  ordinary  governing  faculty  of  non-resident  profes- 
sors and  lecturers,  some  of  whom  deliver  each  year  courses  of  lectures  upon  sub- 
jects in  the  investigation  of  which  they  have  acquired  a  high  reputation  ;  (2)  liber- 


ty  in  the  choice  of  studies  ;  (3)  the  prominence  given  to  studies  of  practical  utili- 
ty ;  (4)  the  absence  of  a  marking  system  determining  the  relative  rank  of  each 
student  in  his  class  ;  (5)  the  non-sectarian  character  of  the  institution.  The  Uni- 
versity is  controlled  by  a  board  of  trustees  of  twenty-three  members,  among  them 
being  the  eldest  male  lineal  descendant  of  the  founder,  together  with  the  Presi- 
dent of  the  University,  the  Governor  and  Lieutenant-Governor  of  the  State,  the 
Speaker  of  the  Assembly,  the  Superintendent  of  Public  Instruction,  the  President 
of  the  State  Agricultural  Society  and  the  Librarian  of  the  Cornell  Library.  Of 
the  remaining  fifteen,  two  are  elected  annually  by  the  trustees  and  one  by  the 
Alumni,  the  term  of  office  being  five  years. 

The  faculty  now  consists  of  forty-two  resident  professors,  four  non  resi  • 
dent  professors  and  lecturers,  and  eight  instructors.  The  work  is  divided  among 
twenty  two  departments,  viz  :  Agriculture,  entomology,  veterinary  science,  me- 
chanical engineering,  military  science,  architecture,  civil  engineering,  freehand 
drawing,  mathematics  and  astronomy,  physics,  chemistry  and  mineralogy,  botany, 
geology  and  palaeontology,  zoology  (including  human  anatomy  and  hygiene  and 
comparative  anatomy),  ancient  classical  languages,  Oriental  languages,  Germanic 
languages,  Romance  languages.  Anglo-Saxon  and  English  literature,  general  lit- 
erature and  orator}',  moral  and  intellectual  philosophy,  history  and  political  sci 
ence.  The  student  has  a  choice  between  eighteen  courses  of  study,  of  which  sev- 
enteen lead  to  degrees,  viz  :  Agriculture,  mechanical  engineering  (two),  archi- 
tecture, civil  engineering  (two),  electrical  engineering,  mathematics,  chemistry 
and  physics,  analytical  chemistry,  natural  history,  medical  preparatory,  history 
and  political  science,  arts,  literature,  philosophy,  science,  science  and  letters 

For  purposes  of  advanced  study,  the  University  extends  its  privileges  to  its 
own  graduates,  and  to  graduates  of  like  standing  from  other  colleges  and  univer- 
sities, and  it  confers  advanced  degrees  as  below  ;  but  graduate  students  who  are 
not  candidates  for  a  degree  are  received  in  any  department  and  for  any  length  ot 
time.  To  graduate  students  there  is  no  charge  for  tuition,  and  they  have  the  free 
use  of  the  library,  laboratories,  and  collections.  In  addition  to  the  special  courses 
of  instruction  given  to  undergraduates,  courses  of  study  for  graduates  leading  to 
advanced  degrees  are  provided  for  in  the  following  general  departments  :  His- 
tory and  Political  Science,  Philosophy  and  Letters,  Comparative  Phil ology, the  An- 
cient Classical  Languages  and  Literatures, the  Oriental  Languages  and  Literatures, 
the  Modern  European  Languages  and  Literatures,  Chemistry  and  Physics,  Civil 
Engineering,  Mechanical  Engineering,  Mathematics,  Natural  History  ;  and  the 
following  advanced  degrees  are  offered  :  Master  of  Arts,  Doctor  of  Philosophy, 
Civil  Engineer,  Mechanical  Engineer,  Master  of  Science,  Doctor  of  Science,  Doc- 
tor of  Veterinary  Medicine. 

The  Library  now  contains  about  forty-six  thousand  bound  volumes,  and  four- 
teen thousand  pamphlets.  It  is  a  working  library,  eminently  adapted  to  the  pur- 
poses of  research,  and  especially  rich  in  works  on  history,  the  ancient  classical 
languages  and  literatures,  the  oriental  languages  and  literatures,  comparative 
philology,  mathematics,  agriculture,  architecture,  civil  engineering  and  mechani- 
cal engineering.  By  the  will  of  the  late  Mrs  Jenny  McGraw  Fiske,  who  died  in 
October,  1881,  the  Library  received  a  specific  bequest,  and  was  also  made  residu- 


MS 


SAGE  CHAPEL-CORNELL  UNIVERSITY,  f* 
\  ITHACA.N.Y.  / V 


ary  legatee.  From  this  source  there  has  been  paid  to  the  University,  up  to  the 
present  time,  about  $700,000 ;  and  the  income  from  this  fund,  known  as  the  Mc- 
Graw  Library  Fund,  is  to  be  applied  to  the  support  and  increase  of  the  Library. 
Such  courses  as  embody  agriculture,  mechanics,  engineering,  electrical  engin- 
eering, agricultural  chemistry  and  analytical  chemistry  are  taught  both  practically 
and  theoretically,  and  for  this  purpose  the  University  has  its  farm,  with  model 
dairy,  stock,  etc.;  its  machine  shops,  and  complete  engineering  department,  equip- 
ped with  the  latest  and  best  mechanical  tools,  machines  and  appliances  ;  its  chem- 
ical laboratory,  where  such  work  is  performed  as  has  special  reference  to  the  re- 
quirements of  manufacturers  ;  and  an  electrical  department,  furnished  with  a  most 
complete  set  of  electrical  apparatus  and  appliances  and  especially  arranged  for  in- 
struction and  experimental  work.  The  extensive  illustrative  collections  made  for 
the  working  laboratories  in  the  departments  of  chemistry,  physics,  botany,  ento- 
mology, geology,  palaeontology,  zoology,  architecture,  civil,  mechanical  and  elec- 
trical engineering  and  veterinary  science  afford  students  every  facility  for  thorough 
and  comprehensive  study  and  the  University  is  continually  increasing  the  facilities 
in  these  as  well  as  in  every  other  department. 

By  an  act  of  the  trustees  passed  in  April,  1872,  women  are  admitted  to  the 
University  on  the  same  terms  as  men,  except  that  they  must  be  seventeen  years 
old.  The  elegant  Sage  College  building  was  built,  furnished  and  endowed  by  the 
Hon.  Henry  W.  Sage  as  a  place  of  residence  for  lady  students,  with  the  stipula- 
tion that  "instruction  should  be  afforded  to  young  women  by  Cornell  University 
as  broad  and  thorough  as  to  young  men."  The  terms  and  conditions  of  admission 
to  the  University  are  that  male  candidates  must  be  at  least  sixteen  and  female  can- 


didaies  seventeen  years  of  age  and  must  pass  a  thoroughly  satisfactory  examina- 
tion. State  students  to  the  number  of  128  may  be  admitted  each  year,  the  origi- 
nal act  of  incorporation  providing  for  the  admission  of  one  student  annually  from 
each  assembly  district  without  payment  of  tuition.  They  are  selected  by  compet- 
itive examinations  from  the  various  public  schools  and  academies  throughout  the 
State.  For  State  students,  for  students  in  agriculture  and  for  all  resident  gradu- 
ates pursuing  post-graduate  courses  there  is  no  charge  for  tuition  or  for  the  use 
of  the  library  and  the  collections.  Some  of  the  students  are  enabled  to  support 
themselves  wholly  or  in  part,  while  pursuing  their  studies,  by  laboring  on  the 
farm,  in  the  machine  shop  or  in  the  printing  establishment,  for  which  they  receive 
the  usual  rate  of  wages.  It  is  also  probable  that  at  an  early  day  a  number  of 
scholarships  and  fellowships  will  be  established,  according  to  the  provision  made 
in  1873  by  the  five  trustees  who  who  then  gave  to  the  University  $150,000  to  assist 
it  out  of  financial  difficulties. 

The  whole  number  of  students  that  entered  Cornell  University  in  1882,  was 
354,  as  against  408  in  1883 — an  increase  of  54.  The  whole  number  of  freshmen 
entering  in  1882,  was  137,  as  against  165  in  1883 — an  increase  of  28.  This  is  an 
excellent  showing,  of  which  the  citizens  of  Ithaca,  equally  with  the  University 
authorities,  feel  a  justifiable  pride. 

The  University,  established  by  a  government  which  recognizes  no  distinc- 
tion of  religious  belief,  seeks  neither  to  promote  any  creed  nor  to  exclude  any. 
By  the  terms  of  its  charter,  persons  of  any  religious  denomination  or  of  no  reli- 
gious denomination  are  equally  eligible  to  all  offices  and  appointments,  and  it  is 
expressly  ordered  that  "at  no  time  shall  a  majority  of  the  board  of  trustees  be  of 
any  one  religious  sect,  or  of  no  religious  sect"  ;  but,  though  it  cannot  be  sectari- 
an, it  is  not  unchristian.  In  the  University  Chapel  religious  services  are  held, 
and  discourses  delivered  by  eminent  clergymen  of  the  various  Christian  denomi- 
nations, the  endowment  for  this  series  of  sermons  being  the  gift  of  Dean  Sage, 
Esq.,  of  Brooklyn,  N.  V. 

Although  students  are  not  compelled  to  attend  these  services,  every  effort  is 
made  to  attract  them  thither  ;  and  the  result  has  been  most  gratifying.  Listless- 
ness  or  breaches  of  order  in  Chapel  are  things  utterly  unknown  ;  while  the  at- 
tendance is  large  and  constant.  There  is  also  in  the  University,  a  flourshing 
Christian  Association,  the  members  of  which  meet  twice  weekly  in  a  room  beau- 
tifully fitted  up  for  them  in  the  University  buildings.  Many  of  the  students, 
however,  prefer  to  affiliate  themselves  with  the  churches  of  Ithaca;  and  in  order 
to  permit  this  there  is  no  preaching  in  the  University  Chapel  on  the  first  Sunday 
of  the  college  year.  Does  this  look  like  a  "godless,"  "atheistic"  or  "materialis- 
tic'' community? 

Cornell  University  to-day  has  but  three  rivals  in  the  land,  and  is  steadily 
marchinng  forward  to  a  position  where  the  arrows  of  its  assailants  cannot  harm. 
The  great  trust  has  been  managed  wisely,  and  is  fully  realizing  the  aims  and 
hopes  of  its  founder  and  its  promoters.  And  where  is  there  an  institution  to 
which  you  can  point  that  has  accomplished  so  much  in  the  same  period,  that  has 
achieved  a  greater  success  in  fifteen  years,  or  with  a  record  more  proud?  If  any 


refutation  of  the  charges,  the  attacks  made  upon  it,  in  the  past  or  present,  were 
necessary,  what  more  could  be  desired  than  this  look  into  the  history  and  condi- 
tion of  the  noble  institution.  Truly  here  "a  good  work  has  been  done  ;  a  good 
work  is  doing  ;  a  good  work  is  to  be  done." 


EZRA  CORNELL  was  born  at  Westchester,  Westchester  county,  N.  Y.,  Jan. 
n,  1807.  His  father  was  poor  and  inured  to  hard  labor,  but  a  man  of  some  cul- 
ture and  for  many  winters  taught  district  schools.  He  was  a  potter  by  trade  and 
lived  to  the  age  of  91  years,  having  reared  a  family  of  eleven  children,  of  whom 
Ezra  was  the  eldest.  The  advantages  Ezra  enjoyed  for  an  early  education  were 
confined  to  these  winter  schools  taught  by  his  father  ;  nor  were  these  always 
open  to  him  except  by  purchase.  In  1819  his  father  removed  to  DeRuyter, 
Madison  county,  N.  Y.,  where  he  established  a  small  pottery  and  with  the  as- 
sistance of  Ezra  and  a  younger  brother,  conducted  a  farm.  Here  his  father  also 
taught  school  during  the  winter.  Ezra  and  his  younger  brother  wishing  to  at- 
tend it,  obtained  their  father's  consent  on  condition  that  they  should  clear  four 
acres  of  heavily  timbered  land  by  planting  time  in  the  spring.  The  task  was  ac- 
complished by  the  roth  of  May  following.  At  the  age  of  18,  without  any  pre- 
vious apprenticeship,  he  cut  timber  and  planned  and  built  a  two-story  house  for 
his  father.  In  1826  he  began  life  for  himself.  He  worked  two  years  as  a  carpen- 
ter and  joiner  at  Syracuse,  Homer  and  other  places,  and  in  1828,  came  to  Ithaca, 
engaging  with  Otis  Eddy  to  work  in  the  machine  shop  attached  to  the  cotton  fac- 
tory, at  $3  a  month  and  board.  This  sum  was  voluntarily  increased  by  Mr.  Eddy, 
at  the  end  of  six  months,  to  $12.  In  1830  he  was  employed  by  J.  S.  Beebe  in 
repairing  a  mill.  By  his  faithfulness  and  skill  he  won  the  confidence  of  his  em- 
ployer, who  gave  him  entire  charge  of  his  milling  business  at  a  salary  of  $400  per 
annum.  He  continued  in  this  position  until  1840,  building  for  his  employer  in 
the  meantime  a  large  flouring  mill  and  engineering  the  construction  of  the  since 
famous  "tunnel,"  by  which  water  is  carried  from  the  dam  above  the  first  fall  in 
Ithaca  Gorge  to  the  mills.  He  also  built  the  well-known  Beebe  dam  at  the  head 
of  the  Gorge.  In  1840,  Mr.  Beebe  having  failed,  he  purchased  the  right  for  a 
patent  plow  for  the  States  of  Maine  and  Georgia,  and  travelled  through  those 


ns 

States  selling  it.  While  thus  engaged  he  made  the  acquaintance  of  Francis  O. 
J.  Smith,  who  was  interested  in  the  then  new  invention,  the  magnetic  telegraph. 
How  by  means  of  his  inventive  genius,  he  perfected  a  machine  for  laying  wire 
under  ground,  how  he  improved  the  crude  instruments  of  Professor  Morse,  mak- 
ing them  effective  on  long  circuits,  and  accomplished  other  achievements  of  im- 
mense value  to  telegraphy,  are  facts  that  have  passed  into  history  and  need  not 
be  detailed.  He  received  in  1844,  at  the  hands  of  Hon.  John  C.  Spencer,  then 
Secretary  of  the  Treasury,  the  position  of  Assistant  Superintendent  of  the  Tele- 
graph. In  May  of  that  year  he  finished  the  line  between  Washington  and  Balti- 
more, and  in  1845  between  the  latter  city  and  New  York.  His  salary  was  then 
$1,000  a  year,  of  which  he  invested  $500  in  telegraph  stock.  In  1845  he  built  a 
line  from  New  York  to  Albany,  clearing  thereby  $6,000,  and  the  following  year 
organized  a  company  and  built  a  line  from  Troy  to  Montreal,  by  which  he  cleared 
$30,000.  He  invested  much  of  this  sum  in  a  line  from  Buffalo  to  Milwaukee, 
but  because  of  some  controversy  between  owners  of  different  portions  of  the 
patent,  the  proper  fruits  of  this  outlay  were  for  a  long  time  delayed.  In  1855, 
largely  through  the  efforts  of  Mr.  Cornell,  the  rival  interests  were  consolidated 
under  the  name  of  the  Western  Union  Telegraph  Company,  in  which  he  was  and 
remained  a  large  shareholder.  He  married,  in  1831,  Mary  Ann,  daughter  of 
Benjamin  Wood,  of  Dryden,  N.  Y.,  and  his  family,  nearly  all  the  time  he  was  en- 
gaged in  the  telegraph  business,  remained  in  Ithaca.  Great  wealth  flowed  from 
his  investments  in  the  telegraph  and  was  poured  out  unstintedly  in  behalf  of 
many  enterprises  whereby  his  fellow-man  was  benefited,  his  beloved  town  en- 
riched and  his  name  glorified  forever.  Besides  the  Free  Library  and  the  Uni- 
versity which  he  founded,  his  efforts  in  behalf  of  the  railroad  interests  of  the 
place  were  almost  superhuman,  and  involved  outlays  of  money  amounting  to 
nearly  or  quite  $2,000,000.  He  never  sought  political  distinction,  but  willingly 
served  where  duty  called.  He  was  in  early  life  a  Whig  and  in  later  life  a  Re- 
publican. He  was  Assemblyman  in  1861-3  and  State  Senator  from  the  Twenty  - 
fourth  District  from  1863  to  1867.  Though  reared  a  Quaker,  and  holding  in 
a  measure  to  the  views  of  this  sect, he  gave  liberally  in  aid  ofother  denominations. 
His  life  was  beyond  reproach.  He  was  truly  a  great  man — approachable,  large- 
hearted,  unostentatious  ;  the  worth)'  poor,  the  struggling  student,  found  in  him 
a  sympathizing  helper  ;  he  was  equally  honored  by  those  in  high  and  those  in 
humble  stations.  His  death  occurred  December  9,  1874,  at  the  age  of  sixty-seven 
years.  To  earth  was  lost  one  of  God's  noblemen  ;  to  heaven  was  gained  a  right- 
eous spirit  ;  his  good  deeds  live  after  him  ;  his  name  goes  down  to  posterity 
with  those  of  Peabody,  Girard  and  Cooper. 

ANDREW  DICKSON  WHITE,  LL.  D.,  the  first  and  present  President  of  Cornell 
University,  was  born  at  Homer,  N.  Y.,  November  7,  1832.  His  lather  was  Horace 
White  and  his  mother  Clara  Dickson  White,  both  of  New  England  parentage. 
In  1839 he  went, with  his  father's  family,to  reside  in  Syracuse, N.  Y.  Having  studied 
in  the  Syracuse  Academy  and  in  a  private  school  at  Ballston  Spa,  he  entered  Ge- 
neva College,  now  known  as  Hobart,  in  the  fall  of  1849,  remained  there  one  year, 
and  then  went  to  Yale  College,  where  he  was  made  an  editor  of  the  Yale  Literary 
Magazine  and  took  the  Clark,  Yale  Literary  and  DeForest  prizes,  graduating  in 


us 

1853.  In  December  of  the  same  year  he  went  to  Europe  and  there  remained  near- 
ly three  years  as  a  student,  mainly  at  the  College  of  France,  Paris,  and  the  Uni- 
versity of  Berlin.  He  was  also  during  seven  months  an  attache  of  the  American 
Legation  at  St.  Petersburg.  His  residence  covered  the  critical  period  of  the 
Crimean  War,  the  blockade  of  Cronstadt,  the  death  of  the  Emperor  Nicholas  and 
the  accession  of  Alexander  II.;  and  of  some  of  the  more  interesting  events  of  the 
time  he  furnished  accounts  to  sundry  American  journals.  In  1857  he  was  elected 
Professor  of  History  and  English  Literature  in  the  University  of  Michigan,  and 
interested  himself  greatly,  in  co-operation  with  Dr.  Tappen,  President  at  that 
time,  and  Professor  Henry  S.  Frieze,  LL.  D  ,  late  acting  President,  in  developing 
the  institution  as  a  University.  During  all  this  period  he  kept  up  constant  busi- 
ness relations  with  Syracuse,  and  in  1862,  on  the  death  of  his  father,  demands  of 
business  obliged  him  to  give  up  his  duties  at  the  University  of  Michigan  as  a  res- 
ident Professor,  though  he  continued  to  be  a  non-resident  Professor  and  Lecturer 
there  for  two  years  longer.  His  health  being  at  the  time  temporarily  broken,  he 
spent  a  few  months  in  Europe  by  the  advice  of  his  physicians,  and  gave  his  spare 
time  there  to  opposing  in  the  press,  at  London  and  Frankfort-on-the-Main,  the 
men  who  were  endeavoring  to  bring  about  an  intervention  of  European  powers  in 
favor  of  the  States  in  the  rebellion.  His  main  work  of  this  kind  in  London  (pub- 
lished there  under  the  title  of  "A  Word  from  the  Northwest,"  and  afterward  re- 
published  in  the  United  States)  was  in  response  to  the  strictures  in  the  ''Ameri- 
can Diary"  of  Dr.  W.  H.  Russell,  correspondent  of  the  London  Times.  After  his 
return,  and  in  the  intervals  of  business,  he  found  time  to  speak  in  the  central 
part  of  the  State  on  the  political  issues  of  the  day,  and  was  shortly  afterward 
elected  to  the  New  York  State  Senate,  and  again  in  1864  re-elected.  While  there, 
he  gave  his  attention,  first,  to  the  measures  necessitated  by  the  Civil  War,  which 
was  then  at  its  height,  and  next  to  the  amelioration  of  the  condition  of  New  York 
City,  which  at  that  time  was  prostrate  under  misrule.  Having  been  appointed 
one  of  the  Committee  on  Municipal  Affairs,  he  devoted  himself  especially  to  a  re- 
form of  the  Health  Department.  His  associates  on  the  Committee  not  having 
been  re-elected,  and  so  having  been  prevented  from  presenting  a  formal  report, 
he  made,  on  his  re-election,  an  informal  report  and  speech  which  again  brought 
up  the  subject.  His  earnest  and  judicious  advocacy  resulted  in  the  reform  that 
brought  in  the  new  Health  Board,  which  still  exists.  As  Chairman  of  the  Com- 
mittee on  Education  and  Literature,  he  devoted  himself  especially  to  the  interests 
of  public  instruction  ;  and  among  other  important  measures,  reported  and  advo- 
cated the  bill  codifying  the  educational  laws  of  the  State.  His  successful  efforts 
to  prevent  the  division  of  the  land  grant,  which  resulted  in  the  endwoment  of 
Cornell  University  by  Ezra  Cornell  and  its  incorporation,  have  been  related.  In 
1865  he  was  elected  to  the  Directorship  of  the  School  of  Fine  Arts  founded  by 
Mr.  Street  at  Yale  College,  and  to  the  Professorship  of  the  History  of  Art  at  that 
institution.  These  proposals  he  declined.  He  also  received  the  honorary  degree 
of  Doctor  of  Laws  from  the  State  University  of  Michigan  at  about  this  time.  In 
the  same  year  he  prepared  an  extended  report  on  the  organization  of  the  Cornell 
University,  which  was  presented  to  the  Trustees  ;  and,  at  their  first  meeting,  on 
motion  of  Mr.  Cornell,  he  was  unanimously  elected  to  the  Presidency  of  the  new 


tt  \\KCK 


\TS 


THE  PRESIDENT'S  HOUSE. 

institution.  In  the  summer  of  1866,  he  delivered  the  Phi  Beta  Kappa  oration  at 
Yale  College,  on  "The  Most  Bitter  Foe  of  Nations,  and  the  Way  to  its  Perma- 
nent Overthrow,"  the  principal  object  being  to  show  the  danger  of  allowing  a 
slaveholding  aristocracy  to  survive  the  Civil  War.  In  iS6S  he  visited  Europe  to 
examine  the  organization  and  management  of  the  leading  schools  of  agriculture 
and  technology  in  England,  France  and  Germany,  and  to  purchase  books  and  ap- 
paratus. Returning,  he  was  present  at  the  opening  of  the  University  for  instruc- 
tion and  delivered  an  inaugural  address  in  which  he  took  occasion  to  develop 
more  fully  the  plans  and  scope  of  the  new  institution.  In  this  address  he  took 
ground  strongly,  not  against  classical  instruction,  but  in  favor  of  a  greater  mix- 
ture of  scientific  and  technical  education,  and  in  favor  of  University  methods  as 
against  the  collegiate  methods  then  mainly  in  use.  Having  been  elected  to  the 
Professorship  of  History,  he  resumed  his  historical  studies,  giving  instruction, 
mainly  by  lecture,  in  addition  to  his  other  duties.  From  time  to  time  he  made 
addresses  or  wrote  papers  presenting  his  ideas  on  education.  Among  these 
were  :  i,  An  address  upon  "Scientific  and  Industrial  Education  in  the  United 
States,"  delivered  before  the  New  York  State  Agricultural  Society  and  afterwards 
reprinted  in  the  Popular  Science  Monthly.  2,  A  paper  on  the  "Relation  of  the  Na- 
tional and  State  Governments  to  Advanced  Education," — read  before  the  National 
Educational  Association  at  Detroit,  in  1874,  and  afterwards  reprinted  in  Old  and 
New.  3,  An  address  on  "Education  in  Political  Science,"  delivered  before  the 
Johns  Hopkins  University,  Baltimore,  at  its  third  anniversary,  in  1877.  In  Janu- 


V\S   RLSOUftC^S.  b\ 

ary,  1871,  he  was  appointed  by  President  Grant,  as  one  of  the  Government  Com- 
missioners to  Santo  Domingo,  under  the  Act  of  Congress,  the  other  Commission- 
ers being  Senator  B  F.  Wade,  of  Ohio,  and  Dr.  Samuel  G.  Howe,  of  Massa- 
chusetts. In  the  fall  of  1871  he  was  temporary  and  permanent  President  of  the 
State  Republican  Convention  at  Syracuse.  He  was  a  delegate-at-large  to  the  Na- 
tional Convention  in  1872  ;  was  one  of  the  electors  of  the  State  of  New  York  at 
the  second  elect  on  of  General  Grant  ;  and  was  also  a  delegate  at-large  to  the 
Republican  National  Convention  in  1876,  but  was  unable  to  attend.  In  1876  he 
delivered  before  the  Phi  Beta  Kappa  Society  at  Brown  University,  and  at  the 
Cooper  Institute  in  New  York,  a  lecture  entitled  "The  Battle  Fields  of  Science.1' 
This  was  afterwards  expanded  into  the  treatise  entitled  "The  Warfare  of  Science/' 
published  in  New  York  in  1876,  and  in  London,  with  a  preface  by  Professor  Tyn- 
dall,  in  the  same  year.  He  was  Chairman  of  the  Jury  ot  Public  Instruction  at  the 
Centennial  Exhibition  at  Philadelphia  in  1876.  In  the  fall  of  that  year  he  went  to 
Europe,  spending  the  winter  at  Stuttgart  in  historical  studies,  and  after  traveling 
in  Germany  and  Italy  was  appointed  by  President  Hayes  an  honorary  Commis- 
sioner to  the  Paris  Exposition  of  1878.  In  this  he  was  called,  as  the  representa- 
tive of  the  United  States,  to  a  place  upon  the  Jury  of  Appeals,  which  passed  upon 
the  higher  awards  recommended  by  the  lower  juries.  In  this  way  he  formed  an 
extensive  acquaintance  among  men  interested  in  literature,  science  and  education, 
not  only  of  France,  but  of  the  various  other  couniries  of  Europe.  At  the  close  of 
the  exhibition  the  President  of  the  French  Republic  recognized  his  services  by  con- 
ferring upon  him  the  cross  of  an  officer  of  the  Legion  of  Honor.  Returning  to  Amer- 
ica in  the  fall  of  1878,  he  resumed  his  University  duties,  but  in  the  early  spring 
of  1879  was  appointed  Envoy  Extraordinary  and  Minister  Plenipotentiary  of  the 
United  States  to  the  German  Empire.  He  returned  to  the  University  in  Septem- 
ber, 1881,  having  found  time  during  his  stay  in  Germany,  in  addition  to  other 
duties, to  study  more  closely  than  before  the  educational  systems  of  Europe  and  to 
accumulate  material  for  the  University.  While  discharging  his  various  political 
and  educational  trusts,  Mr.  White  has  held  positions  of  importance  in  business. 
In  the  intervals  of  labor,  and  during  his  five  visits  to  Europe  he  has  collected  a 
private  library  of  about  twenty  thousand  volumes,  mainly  in  history,  politi- 
cal and  social  science,  and  the  fine  arts.  He  has  also  donated  to  Cor- 
nell University  the  President's  house,  with*  its  furnishings;  the  Horace 
Mann  Herbarium  ;  the  White  Architectural  Library  ;  a  collection  of 
architectural  photographs,  perhaps  the  richest  in  the  world  ;  a  collec- 
tion of  medallions  and  engraved  gems  ;  a  collection  of  photographs  illus- 
trating Civil  Engineering  ;  botanical,  zoological  and  technical  models  and  many 
works  of  art,  which,  with  other  contributions,  make  his  gifts  to  the  institution 
amount  to  considerably  more  than  $100,000.  In  addition  to  the  treatises  and  ad- 
dresses before  named  Mr.  White  has  published  various  articles,  of  which  the 
more  important  are  :  Outlines  of  a  Course  of  Lectures  on  History,  five  editions, 
1860  1883  ;  A  Syllabus  of  a  Fourth  Series  of  Lectures  on  Modern  History -the 
Greater  States  of  Continental  Europe;  Review  of  the  Governor's  Message,  a 
Speech  in  the  New  York  State  Senate,rS64;  The  Cornell  University.a  Speech  in  the 
New  York  State  Senate,  1865;  Address  on  Agricultural  Education,  Albany,  1869; 


\T\\KCK 


MS 


Report  to  the  Trustees  of  Cornell  University  on  Mr.  Sage's  Proposal  to  Endow 
a  College  for  Women,  1872;  Paper  Money  Inflation  in  France — How  it  Came, 
What  it  Brought,  and  How  it  Ended,  1876;  A  Bibliography  of  the  French  Revo- 
lution, published  in  W.  O'Connor  Morris's  "The  French  Revolution  and  First 
Empire"  (Epochs  of  History  Series);  Report  on  the  Provision  for  Higher  In- 
struction in  Subjects  bearing  directly  upon  Public  Affairs  (Paris  Exposition, 
1878);  James  A.  Garfield  :  Memorial  Address,  Ithaca.  1881;  Cleveland  Ad- 
dresses (On  the  Education  of  the  Freedmen  and  at  the  Dedication  of  Adelbert 
College),  Ithaca,  1882;  The  New  Germany,  New  York,  1882;  The  Message  of 
the  Nineteenth  Century  to  the  Twentieth,  New  Haven,  1883;  Sundry  articles  in 
the  New  Englander,  the  Atlantic  Monthly  and  the  North  American  Review,  1855-81. 


Such  is  the  history,  such  is  the  condition  of  Cornell  University.and  such  have 
been  the  lives  of  the  two  men  to  whom  it  mainly  owes  its  existence.  The  story 
as  told  is  reliable,  accurate.  If  it  has  not  interested  you  continue  with  me  no 
longer,  for  I  now  have  only  to  do  with  facts. 

ESRLY  HISTORY  OF  ITHflCS. 

"Since  the  probable  visits  of  the  Jesuit  Fathers,  who  as  early  as  1657  had  a 
mission  church  at  Cayuga,  the  raiding  visit  of  Colonel  Dearborn  in  1779  was  the 
first  intrusion  of  the  white  man  into  that  part  of  the  great  wilderness  which  lay 
as  a  crescent  at  the  head  of  Lake  Tiohero  (or  Cayuga)  and  which  has  since  be- 
come the  political  division  known  as  the  town  of  Ithaca.  By  this  incursion  of 
Sullivan,  Cherry  Valley  and  Wyoming  had  been  terribly  avenged,  the  spirit  of 
the  red  warrior  broken  and  peace  brought  to  the  land  so  lately  the  scene  of  war 
and  massacre.  The  apprehension  of  any  further  trouble  from  the  Indians  having 
been  allayed,  it  needed  but  the  telling  of  the  returned  soldier's  story  embellished 
only  with  the  truth  concerning  the  physical  attractions  and  great  productiveness 
of  the  western  country,  to  excite  to  enthusiasm  the  spirit  of  pioneer  emigration.'' 

In  the  month  of  April,  1788,  eleven  men  left  Kingston,  on  the  Hudson  Riv- 
er, with  two  Delaware  Indians  for  guides,  to  explore  the  country  west  of  the 
Susquehanna  River,  with  the  intention  of  securing  a  future  home.  They  were  a 
month  or  more  thus  employed,  but  returned  without  making  a  location.  In 
April  of  the  following  year,  three  of  their  number,  related  to  each  other  by  mar- 
riage, Jacob  Yaple,  Isaac  Dumond,  and  Peter  Hinepaw,  revisited  the  district  pre- 
viously explored  and  selected  four  hundred  acres  on  lot  94,  then  in  the  county  of 
Montgomery,  of  which  the  west  line  of  Tioga  street  is  now  the  western  limit. 
Having  planted  some  corn  in  the  "Indian  clearings,"  on  the  Flat,  they  left  a 
younger  brother  of  Jacob  Yaple  in  charge  of  it  and  returned  for  their  families. 
In  September  following  they  returned,  bringing  with  them  their  families,  a  few 
articles  of  necessary  household  furniture,  some  farming  utensils  and  a  few  hogs, 
sheep,  cattle  and  horses. 

The  three  families  numbered  twenty  persons — Jacob  Yaple,  his  wife  and 
three  children;  John  Yaple,  the  brother;  Isaac  Dumond,  his  wife  and  three  chil- 
dren; John  Dumond  and  his  wife;  and  Peter  Hinepaw  and  his  wife  and  three 


ns  RLSOURC^S  *>3 

children.  A  month  was  consumed  in  their  journey  to  Owego,  where  there  was  a 
small  settlement,  and  nineteen  days  thence  to  Ithaca.  Between  Owego  and 
the  head  of  Cayuga  Lake  was  only  a  well-beaten  Indian  trail,  along  which  the 
way  had  to  be  cleared  through  the  forest.  Arrived  at  their  new  home  three  log 
cabins  were  soon  erected,  the  first  on  the  north  side  of  Cascadilla  Creek,  where 
Williams'  Mill  now  stands,  which  was  occupied  by  the  Hinepaw  family,  and  the 
other  two,  occupied  by  the  Yaple  and  Dumond  families,  on  the  spot  now  covered 
by  the  residence  of  Adam  S.  Cowdry,  on  East  State  Street.  The  Indians  proved 
friendly  and  gave  the  new-comers  substantial  assistance.  In  summer  they  occu- 
pied the  higher  ground  with  their  wigwams,  but  at  the  approach  of  winter  "pitch- 
ed their  tents"  in  the  gorge  of  Six  Mile  Creek.  The  second  year  after  the  com- 
ing of  the  white  people,  however,  the  greater  portion  of  the  Indians  removed  to 
their  reservation  at  the  north  end  of  the  lake. 

Game  was  abundant  in  the  adjacent  forests,  affording  the  table  rare  bits  of 
deer  and  bear,  while  the  lake  and  its  tributaries  sheltered  and  supported  the 
choicest  of  the  finny  tribes.  Long  journeys  were  required  at  first  to  supply  the 
families  with  flour,  but  in  the  second  year  of  the  settlement  Jacob  Yaple  built  a 
small  mill  on  the  Cascadilla,  near  Mr.  Hinepaw's  cabin,  which  was  capable  of 
grinding  20  or  25  bushels  of  grain  per  day.  Other  families  soon  followed  these 
pioneers,  but  in  the  years  1791-93  when  the  roads  or  great  "turnpikes,"  mainly 
following  an  easterly  and  westerly  direction,  were  being  pushed  forward  into 
the  wilderness,  giving  to  the  pioneers  means  of  more  frequent  communication 
with  their  friends  and  kin  in  the  older  settlements,  the  families  of  the  Yaples, 
Dumonds  and  Hinepaw  had  the  misfortune  to  lose  their  lands  by  reason  of  the 
carelessness  or  wickedness  of  their  agent,  who  was  to  attend  to  the  payment  of 
installments  and  taxes  in  Albany,  and  it  passed  out  of  their  possession. 

Simeon  DeWitt  then  came  into  possession  of  nearly  all  the  domain,  which  is 
now  embraced  within  the  bounds  of  the  village  corporation, as  well  as  other  lands 
outside  that  limit,  and  laid  out  the  plot  of  a  village  to  which  he  gave  the  name  of 
Ithaca.  He  encouraged  settlement  by  the  liberal  terms  offered  in  the  sale  of  his 
lands,  but  for  about  ten  years  after  its  first  settlement  the  little  hamlet  on  the 
flats  increased  very  little  in  population,  there  being  not  more  than  half  a  dozen 
houses  in  1798.  The  country  about  was  filling  up  more  rapidly  and  patches  of 
clearing  here  and  there  foretold  the  doom  of  the  late  unbroken  wilderness.  The 
natural  advantages  of  Ithaca  were  soon  widely  known,  however,  and  enterpris- 
ing men  came  in  to  make  use  of  her  lake  and  streams  for  commercial  and  man- 
ufacturing purposes,  and  the  succeeding  decade  was  a  period  of  accelerated 
growth,  the  hamlet  becoming  a  village. 

In  a  letter  dated  Ithaca,  May  8,  1810,  Mr.  DeWitt  wrote:  "I  find 
this  village  considerably  increased  since  I  was  here  before.  I  have  counted 
thirty-eight  dwelling  houses,  among  which  are  one  very  large,  elegant  three- 
story  house  fora  hotel,  and  five  of  two  stories  ;  the  rest  of  one  story — all  gener- 
ally neat  frame  buildings.  Besides  these  there  is  a  school  house  and  buildings 
for  merchant's  stores,  and  shops  for  carpenters,  cabinet-makers,  blacksmiths, 
coopers,  tanners  ;  and  we  have  besides  shoemakers,  tailors,  two  lawyers,  one 
doctor,  watch  cleaner,  turner,  miller,  hatters,  etc.,  etc."  The  south  side  of  the 


MS 

Cascadilla,  in  the  vicinity  of  the  cabin  of  Mr.  Hinepaw  and  the  mill  of  Mr.  Ya- 
ple.  became  a  sort  of  centre  of  trade  and  manufacture  at  the  earliest  period  of 
Ithaca's  history,  but  fifteen  or  twenty  years  later  Aurora  street,  between  Six  Mile 
Creek  and  the  Cascadilla,  in  turn  became  the  business  centre,  and  here  were  lo- 
cated the  taverns,  stores,  factories,  tanneries,  etc. 

The  public  road  built  from  Oxford,  on  the  Chenango  River,  directly  through 
to  Ithaca,  in  1791-93  became  the  great  highway  for  immigration  in  the  southern 
part  of  the  State  for  many  years,  and  in  1804  the  Susquehanna  and  Bath  Turn- 
pike was  incorporated,  running  through  the  present  towns  of  Caroline,  Dryden, 
Ithaca  and  Enfield,  what  is  now  State  street  (earlier  Owego)  forming  a  part  of 
the  road.  The  Owego  and  Ithaca  Turnpike  Company,  incorporated  in  1807,  was 
finished  in  1811,  as  was  also  the  road  to  Geneva,  by  the  Geneva  and  Ithaca  Turn- 
pike Company.  These  roads  gave  to  the  little  village  of  Ithaca  considerable  im- 
portance; the  business  of  the  place  was  stimulated  by  the  demand  for  Cayuga 
plaster, which  sprung  up  during  the  last  war  with  England, when  the  supply  from 
Nova  Scotia  was  cut  off.  Immense  quantities  were  transported  from  Ithaca  by 
team  to  Owego,  from  whence  by  the  river  the  lower  markets  were  supplied. 

Governor  Clinton  evidently  believed  it  to  be  a  place  of  growing  importance 
as  early  as  1810,  for  he  thus  wrote  in  his  journal:  "The  situation  of  this  place, 
at  the  head  of  Cayuga  Lake,  and  a  short  distance  from  the  descending  waters  to 
the  Atlantic,  and  about  120  miles  to  the  descending  waters  to  the  Mississippi, 
must  render  it  a  place  of  great  importance."  It  was  certainly  starting  well  and 
steadily  increased  in  size  and  importance,  and  when  the  act  of  Legislature  creat- 
ing Tompkins  County  was  passed  April  17,  1817,  Ithaca  was  designated  as  the 
county  seat.  This  act  contained  a  provision  that  in  case  of  failure  to  convey  a 
site  for  the  county  buildings  to  the  supervisors,  and  the  securing  of  $7,000  to  be 
paid,  the  new  county  was  to  be  re-annexed  to  the  counties  of  Cayuga  and  Seneca 
from  whence  it  was  taken.  The  citizens  of  Tompkins  manifested  a  lively  interest 
in  the  matter,  the  provisions  in  the  enactment  were  complied  with  and  in  1818  a 
wooden  structure  was  erected  and  ready  for  occupancy  as  a  court  house  and  jail 
on  the  site  occupied  by  the  present  court  house  on  East  Mill  street. 

In  1820  Ithaca  contained  a  population  of  859  persons,  and  on  the  second 
day  of  April,  1821,  was  incorporated  as  a  village — just  seventeen  days  after  the 
town  of  Ithaca  was  formed  from  Ulysses.  Of  these  859  people,  5  were  foreigners, 
not  naturalized:  10  were  engaged  in  agriculture;  10  in  commerce,  and  143  in 
manufactures,  including  mechanics  of  every  description.  The  formation  of  a 
new  town  to  be  called  by  its  name  was  in  appreciation  of  the  growth  and  prom- 
ising future  of  the  village,  which  was  just  at  this  time  being  favored  with  an  im- 
portant addition  to  its  transportation  facilities — a  steamboat  "to  ply  from  one 
end  to  the  other  of  Cayuga  Lake."  The  Cayuga  Steamboat  Company  had  been 
organized  in  1819,  and  on  March  18,  1820,  the  keel  of  the  "Enterprise"  was  laid, 
and  on  the  4th  of  May  following  the  finished  vessel  was  launched  midst  the 
huzzas  of  the  people  and  the  firing  of  cannon.  She  was  80  by  30  feet  over  all 
and  of  120  tons  burden,  with  an  engine  of  24  horse-power,  her  machinery  being 
made  in  Jersey  City  and  brought  to  Ithaca  by  teams.  The  Journal  of  June  7,1820, 
made  the  follwing  announcement :  "The  Enterprise  is  connected  with  the  line 


MS 

of  stages  from  Newburgh  to  Buffalo,  and  thus  furnishes  to  travellers  from  New 
York,  and  others  going  west,  one  of  the  most  expeditious  and  pleasant  routes  in 
the  State.  The  stage  runs  from  Newburgh  to  this  village  in  two  days.  Thus 
travellers  may  leave  New  York  at  5  o'clock  P.  M.  in  the  steamboat;  the  second 
day  arrive  at  Ithaca;  go  on  board  the  steamboat  'Enterprise'  the  same  night;  re- 
ceive good  accommodations  and  rest  in  comfortable  births  during  the  passage; 
resume  the  stage  next  morning  at  Cayuga  bridge,  and  the  same  night  arrive  at 
Buffalo;  making  the  whole  route  in  three  days! — one  day  sooner  than  it  is  performed 
by  way  of  Albany." 

Although  these  transportation  facilities  are  now  considered  insignificant, 
they  then  attracted  considerable  attention  and  trade  to  Ithaca,  and  the  possi- 
bilities thus  presented  of  more  rapid  advancement  with  greater  facilities  doubt- 
less promoted  the  project  of  a  railway  to  Owego.  The  Ithaca  and  Owego  rail- 
road was  incorporated  January  28,  1828,  and  it  was  opened  in  April,  1834.  The 
road  was  29  miles  long  and  had  two  "inclined  planes1'  ascending  from  Ithaca,  the 
first,  1733  feet  long,  with  a  rise  of  one  foot  in  4  28-100  feet,  making  a  total  rise 
of  405  feet,  and  the  second  or  upper,  2225  feet  long,  with  a  rise  of  one  foot  in 
every  twenty-one  feet.  "The  old  style  flat  or  strap  rail  was  used  throughout 
and  for  six  years  horse  power  was  employed  exclusively,  the  steeper  plane  be- 
ing overcome  by  stationary  power  in  the  form  of  a  huge  windlass  housed  at  the 
summit  and  worked  also  by  horses — generally  blind/'* 

In  the  meantime  other  steamboats  had  made  their  appearance  upon  the  lake 
and  great  progress  was  making  by  the  village — but  the  following  bit  of  contem- 
poraneous history,  condensed  from  Solomon  Southwick's  statements  respecting 
the  trades,  manufactures,  &c.,  of  Ithaca,  as  he  found  them  in  1834,  will  give  the 
best  idea  of  its  progress:  "Newspapers — The  Journal,  by  Nathan  Randall; 
Chronicle,  by  D.  D.  and  A.  Spencer  ;  Jeffersonian  and  Tompkins  Times,  by 
Charles  Robbins.  Bookstores,  2  ;  dry  goods  merchants,  23  ;  hardware  2  ;*jewel- 
ers,  3  ;  druggists,  3  ;  grocers,  16  ;  millinery  establishments,  5.  Of  mechanical 
establishments,  embracing  all  classes,  there  were  36,  in  which  were  employed 
289  people."  The  principal  manufacturers  apart  from  the  "mecfhanical  establish- 
ments" just  named,  were  "Mack,  Andrus  &  Woodruff's  paper  mill  employing 
30  hands—  this  firm's  printing  office,  book  bindery  and  book  store  employ  23 
hands  ;  J.  S.  Beebe's  Olympic  Falls  Flouring  Mill,  conducted  by  Ezra  Cornell  ; 
J.  S.  Beebe's  Plaster  Mill — turned  out  800  tons  of  plaster  last  year  ;  Lucas  Lev- 
insworth's  Machine  Shop,  employing  12  hands — manufactures  pails,  tubs,  keelers, 
&c.  ;  Barnaby  &  Hedges'  Chair  Factory  in  the  machine  shop  building — makes 
200  chairs  yearly  ;  Dennis  &  Vail's  Ithaca  Furnace — an  extensive  establishment — 
makes  mill  gearing  and  other  castings  and  has  been  in  operation  six  years  ; 
there  is  another  furnace  near  this,  owned  by  H.  King,  which  melts  75  tons  of 
iron  yearly  ;  Silas  Mead's  plow  manufactory— makes  about  200  plows  yearly  ; 
S.  J.  Blythe's  Woolen  Factory — this  factory  dresses  from  500  to  700  pieces  of 
cloth  and  cards  about  14,000  pounds  of  wool  annually  ;  John  Raymond's  Wool- 

*  The  road  was  sold  at  auction  by  the  Comptroller,  May  20,  1842  ;  bought  by  the  "Cayuga  and 
Susquehanna  Railroad  Co."  and  sold  by  them  in  1849  to  New  York  parties  who  rebuilt  it,  laying  heavy 
iron  as  far  as  the  "upper  switch"  station  in  December  of  that  year  and  in  the  spring  following  extending 
the  road  to  the  pier  at  the  head  of  the  lake,  descending  the  hill  by  a  circuitous  route,  as  now.  In  1855  it 
was  leased  to  the  D.,  L.  &  W.  R.  R.  Co.,  who  have  since  operated  it. 


V\S 

en  Factory— does  business  in  kind  and  amount  similar  to  Mr.  Blythe's  ;  Cook 
&  Conrad's  Ithaca  Iron  Foundry  and  Steam  Engine  Works — business  nearly  the 
same  as  that  of  Dennis  &  Vail,  and  turns  out  a  large  amount  of  work  ;  Factory 
of  Hardy  &  Rich,  manufacturers  of  saw  mill  dogs— this  dog  is  a  patented  article 
and  sells  at  $150  a  set — total  business  $7,500  annually — lumber  sawed  with  this 
dog  brought  50  cents  extra  per  1000  feet." 

From  this  statement  it  will  be  inferred  that  Ithaca  was  an  embryo  city  from 
which  much  was  hoped.  Indeed,  it  gave  indications  of  such  a  rapid  growth  that 
"the  year  1836  was  a  period  of  wild  speculation.  Land  increased  fabulously  in 
price  ;  whole  farms  were  laid  out  in  city  lots  and  scarce  an  acre  within  two  miles 
of  the  village  was  purchasable  for  tillage.  Banking  institutions,  railroads  and 
canals  multiplied  in  brains  and  upon  charts  with  astonishing  facility.  Several  of 
the  first  were  formally  organized,  but  never  proceeded  to  business.  The  Journal 
of  July  in  .that  year  reports  that  a  sale  of  sundry  water-powers  at  Fall  Creek 
brought  at  auction  $220,000  ;  and  further  says,  'a  parcel  of  the  DeWitt  estate, 
which  was  purchased  last  December  for  $4,676,  sold  at  auction  on  the  6th  for  $52,- 
929.  A  farm  adjoining  the  village,  which  was  purchased  last  summer  for  $50  per 
acre,  has  recently  been  sold  for  $500  per  acre,  and  the  purchaser  has  been  offered 
and  declined  an  advance  on  his  purchase.'  There  was  but  one  ending  possible 
to  this — the  foamy  period  of  Ithaca's  history.  A  short  time  served  to  blow  the 
froth  from  many  a  supposed  full  glass,  and  reveal  the  very  small  bier  at  the 
bottom." 

But  it  was  not  without  some  reason  that  these  bright  anticipations  and  the 
consequent  speculation  was  indulged  in.  With  its  railroad  and  steamboat  lines 
Ithaca  became  the  central  shipping  point  for  all  this  region,  business  of  all  kinds 
flourished  and  enterprising  men  were  investing  their  money  freely  in  every  enter- 
prise that  promised  success.  The  tide  was  taken  at  its  flood,  but  did  not  lead  on 
to  the  great  sisterhood  of  cities,  however,  and  Ithaca  settled  down  to  a  steady, 
healthful  growth. 

In  1858  the  population  of  the  town  ol  Ithaca  was  7,153,  which  had  only  in- 
creased in  1866  to  7,264.  Recovering  from  the  effects  of  the  "foamy  period",  the 
village  became  somewhat  conservative  and  grew  slowly,  but  its  growth  was  mark- 
ed by  a  substantiality  that  was  more  desirable.  The  opening  of  the  Ithaca  and 
Athens  Railroad*  and  the  Ithaca  and  Cortland  Railroad  f  in  1871,  the  Geneva 
and  Ithaca  Railroad  in  1873  and  the  Cayuga  Lake  Railroad  \  in  1874,  affording  the 
most  desirable  transportation  facilities,  gave  it  another  slight  impetus  and  it  again 
began  to  move  forward,  as  is  shown  by  a  population  in  1880  of  11,896  in  the 
town. 

From  a  village  with  the  appearance  of  having  a  "mushroom"  growth  it  be- 
came characterized  by  its  appearance  of  solidity  and  wealth  ;  handsome  residences, 
substantial  business  blocks  and  fine  streets  were  its  features,  and  Ithaca  assumed 

*  The  Ithaca  and  Athens  Railroad  and  the  Geneva  and  Ithaca  Railroad  were  consolidated  in  1874  and 
were  purchased  by  the  Lehigh  Valley  R.  R.Co.,and  are  now  known  as  the  Geneva,  Ithaca  &  Sayre  Railroad. 

t  The  Ithaca  and  Cortland  Railroad  was  consolidated  in  1871  with  the  Utica,  Horseheads  &  Elmira 
Railroad  and  became  the  Utica,  Ithaca  &  Elmira  Railroad. 

£  The  Cayuga  Lake  Railroad  runs  along  the  east  side  of  the  Lake  ;  it  was  purchased  in  1876  by  th« 
Lehigh  Valley  Railroad  Company. 


HS 

the  garb  of  a  typical  and,  it  might  be  said,  a  model  University  town.  During  the 
past  few  years  an  era  of  prosperity  seems  to  have  set  in,  its  older  manufactories 
have  received  new  life,  new  ones  have  been  established,  every  branch  of  business 
became  more  prosperous — Ithaca  to-day  is  in  the  most  thriving  condition,  and  its 
future  is  probably  brighter  than  at  any  period  during  its  history. 

ITS  CHURCHES. 

There  are  fifteen  churches  in  Ithaca,  in  which  worship  eight  religious  denom- 
inations— Presbyterian,  Baptist,  Roman  Catholic,  Congregational,  Episcopal, 
Methodist,  Free  Methodist  and  Unitarian.  The  Presbyterian  Church  was  organ- 
ized in  1804,  the  first  church  was  built  in  1818,  and  the  present  edifice  in  DeWitt 
Park  in  1853.  The  first  Methodist  services  were  held  in  1793,  the  first  church 
built  in  1820  and  the  edifice  now  occupied  at  the  corner  of  Aurora  and  Mill 
streets  in  1866.  The  second  Methodist  church  was  organized  in  1851  from  the 
parent  society  and  in  the  same  year  a  wooden  structure  was  built  on  the  corner 
of  Seneca  and  Plain  streets;  the  edifice  now  occupied  at  the  corner  of  State  and 
Albany  streets  was  erected  in  1878.  St.  John's  Episcopal  Church  was  organized 
in  1822.  the  first  church  built  in  1824,  and  the  edifice  now  occupied  at  the  corner 
of  Seneca  and  Cayuga  streets  erected  in  1860.  St.  Paul's  Episcopal  Church  was 
organized  in  1874  ;  services  are  held  in  the  University  Chapel.  Episcopal  ser- 
vices are  also  held  in  Christ  Chapel,  on  Cliff  street.  The  first  Baptist  society, 
(Park  Baptist  Church)  was  organized  in  1826,  the  first  church  built  in  1831  and 
the  edifice  now  occupied  on  the  east  side  of  DeWitt  Park  erected  in  1854.  The 
Tabernacle  Baptist  Church  was  organized  in  1870  ;  they  have  a  small  house  of 
worship  on  Railroad  avenue,  near  Tioga  street.  The  first  Congregational  Church 
was  organized  as  a  Dutch  Reformed  Church  in  1830  and  an  edifice  erected  in 
1830-31  :  in  1872  the  church  became  a  congregational  society  and  a  handsome  new 
church  is  now  building  on  the  old  site  at  the  corner  of  Seneca  and  Geneva  streets. 
The  Church  of  the  Immaculate  Conception  (Roman  Catholic)  was  organized  in 
1834,  the  first  church  was  built  in  1851  with  the  title  of  St.  Luke's,  and  the  edifice 
now  occupied  at  the  corner  of  Seneca  and  Geneva  streets,  erected  in  1860  ;  this 
parish  is  now  building  a  parochial  school  building  on  West  Buffalo  street,  at  a 
cost  of  $12,000,  to  be  taught  by  the  "Sisters  of  St.  Joseph."  The  African  M.  E. 
Zion  Church  was  organized  in  1833  and  subsequently  built  a  modest  church  on 
Wheat  street  which  they  still  occupy.  The  Wesleyan  (colored)  M.  E.  -Church 
is  an  offshoot  from  the  preceding  and  was  organized  in  1851  ;  their  Church  stands 
on  North  Albany  street.  The  first  Unitarian  Society  was  organized  in  1865  and 
their  church  on  the  north  side  of  Buffalo  street,  near  Aurora,  was  erected  in  1873. 
The  Free  Methodist  Society  was  organized  in  1871  ;  their  church  stands  on 
North  Tioga  street,  near  Farm.  The  Union  Church  of  Fall  Creek  was  organized 
in  1877  and  has  a  small  edifice  on  North  Aurora,  near  Tompkins  street. 

PUBLIC  SCHOOLS. 

In  educational  facilities  Ithaca  presents  advantages  that  are  equalled  by 
few  localities  in  this  country,  the  courses  of  study  being  complete,  in  continuity 


us 

and    thoroughness,  from  the  time  of  entering  the    primaries  until  graduation    at 
Cornell  University. 

As  early  as  1796  that  portion  of  the  town  of  Ulysses  which  became  Ithaca 
was  represented  in  the  management  of  the  existing  schools  by  Robert  McDow- 
ell, Benjamin  Pelton  and  William  VanOrman — early  settlers — as  is  shown  by 
the  town  records,  but  when  or  where  the  first  school  house  was  erected  is  not 
known.  In  1825  an  academy  was  opened  in  the  present  high  school  building 
which  was  conducted  with  more  or  less  success  until  1875, 'but  the  only  free 
schools  in  the  village  during  this  period,  after  the  abandonment  of 
the  old  Lancasterian  school  at  Geneva  and  Mill  streets  in  1854,  were 
one  large  school  (now  the  Central  School)  in  which  all  grades  were 
taught,  and  a  branch  primary  school.  In  1874  an  act  of  Legislature 
authorized  the  establishment  of  a  Union  School  District  with  a  com- 
plete graded  school  system  under  the  control  of  a  Board  of  Education 
consisting  of  twelve  members.  Under  authority  of  this  act  a  new  school 
building  was  erected  on  West  Hill  and  two  temporary  schools  opened  on  East 
and  South  Hills  in  1874,  and  in  September,  1875,  a  high  school  was  organized  in 
the  old  academy  building,  which  had  been  transferred  to  the  Board  of  Education 
for  that  purpose.  And  from  this  beginning  the  movement  continued  onward  and 
upward  until  Ithaca's  public  school  system  was  regarded  as  being  without  a  su- 
perior in  the  State.  In  1879  a  large  new  building  was  erected  at  Fall  Creek  ;  in 
1880  the  Central  School  building  was  remodelled,  in  1881  a  new  building  was 
erected  on  East  Hill  and  now  a  new  high  school  building  is  to  be  erected  during 
the  coming  year,  on  the  old  site,  at  a  cost  of  $50,000.  There  are  now  six  school 
buildings,  in  which  are  employed  34  teachers,  and  the  whole  number  of  pupils 
registered  in  all  the  schools  during  1882-3  was  2,020,  an  increase  of  74  over  the 
preceding  year.  The  rank  of  the  High  School  in  the  apportionment  of  the  Litera- 
ture Fund  in  1882  was  thirteenth,  which  means  that  but  12  schools  in  the  State 
received  more  from  that  fund  on  account  of  instruction  of  academic  pupils, 
while  there  were  210  that  received  less.  The  courses  of  study  in  the  schools,  as 
previously  stated,  is  most  complete,  from  the  entrance  into  the  primaries  until 
graduation  from  the  High  School,  when  students  are  prepared  to  enter  the 
University. 

ITS  NEWSPAPERS. 

Journalism  in  Ithaca  is  far  in  advance  of  "village"  journalism  in  general,  and 
in  the  Journal,  Democrat  and  Ithaccm  the  "Forest  City"  possesses  able  champions 
of  its  interests  and  highly  creditable  representatives  of  the  modern  "press".  The 
Ithaca  Journal  was  established  nearly  two  years  before  the  county  of  Tompkins 
was  formed,  and  has  not  only  kept  pace  with  its  progress,  but,  if  anything,  in  ad- 
vance of  it,  and  is  now  a  more  representative  newspaper  than  many  of  great  pre- 
tensions issuing  from  the  larger  cities.  Its  first  issue  was  made  on  Independence 
Day,  1815,  as  the  Seneca  Republican,  a  weekly  newspaper,  by  Jonathan  Ingersoll. 
Early  in  the  year  following  its  name  was  changed  to  the  American  Journal,  and 
was  purchased  by  Ebenezer  Mack  and  Searing,  who  early  in  1823  changed  the 
title  to  Ithaca  Journal.  From  this  time  until  December,  1833,  it  was  published 


by  Mr.  Mack  and  his  different  business  partners.     In  1827  the  title  was  the  Ithaca 
Journal,  Literary  Gazette  and  General  Advertiser  ;  about  one  year  later  a  portion  of 


this  name  was  dropped,  and  it  became  the  Ithaca  Journal  and  Advocate.  In  1833 
it  was  sold  to  Nathan  Randall  ;  in  1837,  Randall  sold  to  Mattison  &  Barnaby,  and 
in  i83Q  A.  E.  Barnaby  sold  to  Alfred  Wells,  who  soon  after  sold  to  J.  H.  Selkreg, 


\TS 

who  from  that  time  until  February,  1877,  continued  its  publication.  The  Journal 
has  merged  into  itself  many  rival  publications — the  Jeffersonian  and  Tompkins 
Times,  in  1837  ;  the  Flag  of  Our  Union,  in  1849,  and  in  1870  the  Ithacan  being  in- 
cluded in  the  number.  After  many  unavailing  efforts  to  start  a  daily  paper  in 
Ithaca  and  make  it  live,  the  Daily  Journal  made  its  debut  on  the  first  day  of  July, 
1872.  It  risked  the  large  membership  fee  and  the  heavy  weekly  dues  necessary 
to  secure  connection  with  the  Associated  Press  ;  large  investments  in  fast  running 
presses,  type  and  other  material  and  paraphernalia  ;  and  the  salaries  of  an  in- 
creased force  of  writers  and  compositors  required  by  such  an  undertaking.  The 
previous  several  attempts  had  whetted  the  public  appetite  and  prepared  the  way 
for  this  effort,  and  although  not  a  profitable  venture  in  its  earlier  years,  owing  to 
the  considerable  expenditures  necessarily  incurred  in  its  establishment, it  has  grad- 
ually but  constantly  gained  in  public  appreciation  and  patronage,  until  it  has  al- 
ready become  more  than  self  sustaining  ;  one  of  the  most  important  institutions 
of  the  county,  with  a  prospect  of  great  prosperity  and  usefulness.  In  February, 
1877,  the  business  of  the  daily  and  weekly  Journals,  with  the  large  job  printing 
and  other  incidental  departments,  had  attained  such  proportions  that  an  increase 
of  capital  and  division  of  labor  became  imperative.  A  stock  company  was  ac- 
cordingly formed  under  the  general  laws  of  the  Slate  and  incorporated  as  the 
"Ithaca  Journal  Association."  Of  this  organization  John  H.  Selkreg  is  President  ; 
Charles  M.  Benjamin,  Vice  President  ;  and  George  E.  Priest,  Secretary  and 
Treasurer.  The  contrast  between  the  hand  press  on  which  the  earlier  Journal 
way-  laboriously  worked  and  the  rapid  steam  cylinder  presses  it  now  employs  af- 
fords no  greater  idea  of  the  march  of  improvement  than  the  primitive  third  floor 
office — sanctum,  composing  and  press  room,  all  in  one — of  1815  compared  with 
the  stately  Journal  block  erected  in  1872,  with  its  elegant  appointments  and  every 
convenience.  In  its  long  career  the  Journal  has  never  been  neutral  in  politics, 
but  for  the  greater  time  strongly  partisan.  Originally  Democratic,  it  continued 
so  until  1856.  when  the  slavery  question  becoming  the  paramount  issue,  it  be- 
came Republican,  and  has  ever  since  espoused  the  best  interests  of  that  party, 
wielding  no  small  influence  in  the  county  and  State. 

The  Ithaca  Democrat  was  established  in  1820  by  D.  D.  Spencer  under  the 
title  of  the  Ithaca  Chronicle.  In  1828  Anson  Spencer  became  associated  with  him 
in  its  publication,  and  it  was  continued  by  them  until  1833, when  Anson  Spencer 
became  sole  proprietor  and  published  it  until  1855,  when  it  passed  into  the 
hands  of  A.  E.  Barnaby  &  Co.,  who  issued  it  as  the  American  Citizen.  It  subse- 
quently came  into  the  possession  of  Anson  Spencer,  who  published  it  until  1863, 
when  it  was  consolidated  with  the  Tompkins  County  Democrat.  This  paper  dated 
its  existence  from  1856,  when  it  was  started  by  Timothy  Maloney  and  continued 
by  him  until  his  death  in  1860.  In  1861  S.  C.  Clisbe  became  its  owner,  but  soon 
after  sold  a  half  interest  to  B.  R.  Williams,  and  these  gentlemen  issued  it  until 
its  consolidation  with  the  American  Citizen.  The  consolidated  papers  were  issu- 
ed by  Spencer  &  Williams  as  the  Ithaca  Citizen  and  Democrat  until  July  4th,  1867, 
when  it  was  enlarged  and  the  name  changed  to  the  Ithaca  Democrat.  Mr.  Spencer 
succeeded  to  the  sole  ownership  and  remained  its  editor  and  proprietor  until 
December  rst,  1873,  when  Ward  Gregory  became  associated  with  him  in  its  pub- 


ttS   fcfcSOWCfcS.  t>\ 

lication  and  assumed  editorial  charge  in  1874.  Upon  the  death  of  Mr.  Spencer 
in  1876  Mr.  Gregory  became  sole  owner  of  the  Democrat.  He  thoroughly  renovat- 
ed the  printing  establishment  and  by  energy  and  perseverance,  placed  the  office 
upon  a  paying  basis.  It  is  the  only  Democratic  paper  in  Tompkins  county  and 
justly  merits  its  success. 

The  Weekly  Ithacan  was  established  at  Dryden,  in  May,  1856,  by  H.  D.  Rum- 
sey,  under  the  name  of  Rumsey"s  Companion.  It  was  soon  after  changed  to  the 
Fireside  Companion,  and  again  in  a  month,  to  the  Dryden  News.  In  1857  it  was 
purchased  by  G.  B.  House,  and  the  title  changed  to  the  New  York  Confederacy, 
and  soon  after  discontinued.  In  July,  1858,  Ashael  Clapp  resuscitated  the  paper 
as  the  Drvden  Weekly  News,  which  he  continued  to  publish  at  Dryden,  several 
times  enlarging  and  otherwise  improving  it,  until  April,  1871,  when  in  company 
with  Messrs.  Norton  and  Cunningham,  the  paper  with  the  half  ot  its  entire  sub- 
scription list,  was  removed  to  Ithaca,  and  here  issued  as  the  Weekly  Ithacan  and 
Dryden  News.  In  six  months  this  partnership  was  dissolved,  Mr.  Clapp  resum- 
ing the  entire  control.  In  June,  1874,  the  paper  was  sold  to  George  Ketchum, 
but  he  failed  to  make  a  success  of  its  management  and  the  office  was  closed  by 
the  Sheriff.  After  some  delay,  the  right  of  ownership  reverted  to  Mr.  Clapp, 
who  held  a  mortgage  on  the  paper,  and  by  dint  of  enterprise  and  industry  he 
restored  the  paper  to  its  former  standing,  and  largely  increased  its  circulation. 
The  Ithacan  is  a  large  eight-page  paper,  and  its  prosperous  condition  is  very 
gratifying  to  Mr.  Clapp,  and  the  friends  of  the  causes  which  he  advocates— temp- 
erance and  "greenbackism." 

PUBLIC  BUILDINGS  MD  GROUNDS. 

The  Cornell  Free  Library  occupies  a  fine  three-story  brick  building  on  the 
corner  of  Seneca  and  Tioga  streets,  and  contains  over  11,000  volumes  which, 
with  a  few  necessary  exceptions,  circulate  free  within  the  limits  of  Tompkins 
County.  The  institution  owes  its  existence  to  the  public  spirit  and  munificence 
of  the  late  Hon.  Ezra  Cornell,  and  very  appropriately  bears  his  name.  The  Cor- 
nell Library  Association  was  incorporated  April  5,  1864,  and  under  this  act  Mr. 
Cornell  caused  to  be  erected  the  building  which  was  dedicated  with  appropria- 
ate  ceremonies  on  the  evening  of  December  20,  1866,  and  with  the  ground  upon 
which  it  stands  presented  to  the  village.  It  is  68x104  feet  in  dimensions  and 
cost  $75,000.  Besides  the  library  and  reading  room,  the  building  contains  a  fine 
hall  for  public  exercises  and  other  excellent  rooms  for  business  purposes,  whose 
rental  was  designed  to  sustain  the  library  free  of  cost  to  patrons.  It  has'more 
than  accomplished  this  purpose,  the  receipts  proving  sufficient  to  pay  expenses 
and  add  yearly  many  volumes  to  the  library. 

The  other  public  buildings  worthy  of  note  are  the  court-house  and  jail,  on 
East  Mill  street,  erected  respectively  in  the  years  1855  and  1850;  Wilgus  Opera 
House,  corner  of  State  and  Tioga  streets,  erected  in  1869  by  H.  L.  Wilgus  at  a 
cost  of  $60,000,  and  the  Post-Office,  on  East  State  above  Cayuga  street. 

The  cemetery,  covering  16  acres  of  the  hill  slope  on  the  north  side  of  the  Cas- 
cadilla,  with  its  natural  advantages  in  the  variety  of  its  surface,  its  native  growth 
of  trees  and  commanding  views,  is  an  eject  of  admiration  to  visitors. 


£2.  HttNCk 

There  are  several  very  pretty  little  parks  scattered  throughout  the  village, 
chief  among  which  are  DeWitt  and  Washington  Parks,  both  near  the  centre  of 
the  town.  The  large  grounds  of  the  Tornpkins  County  Agricultural  Society,  on 
which  successful  fairs  and  cattle  shows  are  annually  held,  are  situated  in  the 
southern  extremity  of  the  village. 

LOCflL  GOVERNMENT. 

The  village  is  divided  into  four  wards,  and  is  governed  by  a  President  and 
Board  of  Trustees,  composed  of  two  members  from  each  ward.  An  efficient 
force  of  four  sturdy  policemen,  under  command  of  a  chief,  are  the  guardians  of 
the  peace. 

Property  is  amply  protected  against  fire  by  an  excellent  fire  department,  com- 
posed of  eight  companies — three  steamers,  three  hose  companies,  one  hook  and 
ladder  company  and  an  organization  known  as  protective  police,  (composed 
principally  of  the  best  known  business  men)  whose  duty  it  is  to  take  charge  of 
and  protect  property  removed  from  burning  buildings. 

'.  ¥STER  SND  GfiS. 

An  abundant  supply  of  water  is  furnished  by  the  Ithaca  Water  Works,  a  pri- 
vate corporation.  The  water  is  drawn  from  Buttermilk  Creek  at  a  point  two 
miles  south,  the  stream  being  215  feet  above  the  business  portion  of  the  village. 
Three  reservoirs  of  immense  capacity  are  employed,  one  being  located  at  the-point 
on  the  stream  mentioned,  a  second,  for  storage  purposes, a  half  mile  above, and  the 
third  on  South  Hill,  which  in  connection  with  the  first  named  is  used  for  distrib- 
uting purposes.  From  these  two  reservoirs  the  water  enters  iron  mains  and  un- 
der a  pressure  of  90  pounds  to  the  square  inch  is  carried  to  all  parts  of  the  village. 
For  fire  purposes  hydrants  are  located  at  convenient  points,  from  which  strong 
streams  can  be  thrown  over  the  highest  building. 

Gas  is  supplied  by  the  same  corporation. 

ITS  FACILITIES  1ND  RESOURCES. 

Exceptional  facilties  are  possessed  by  Ithaca  for  the  successful  conduct  of 
almost  every  branch  of  manufacturing  or  mercantile  business.  Four  railways  and 
a  steamboat  line  afford  the  most  desirable  transportation  facilities  :  The  south- 
ern outlets  are  the  Delaware  Lackawanna  and  Western  Railroad  Company,  oper- 
ating the  railway  between  Ithaca  and  Owego,  where  connections  are  made  with 
the  main  line  of  this  company  and  the  Erie  Railroad  both  East  and  West,  and  the 
Geneva,  Ithaca  and  Sayre  Railroad,  operated  by  the  Lehigh  Valley  Railroad  Com- 
pany, and  connecting  at  Sayre  with  the  main  line  of  the  Lehigh  Valley  Railroad, 
the  competition  between  these  lines  to  and  from  New  York  being  highly  benefi- 
cial. An  outlet  north  is  had  by  the  Geneva,  Ithaca  and  Sayre  Railroad  connect- 
ing at  Geneva  with  the  Auburn  branch  of  the  New  York  Central  Railroad,  and 
at  Lyons  with  the  main  line  of  the  New  York  Central;  by  the  Cayuga  Lake  Rail- 
road, connecting  at  Cayuga,  with  the  Auburn  branch  of  the  same  road,  and  the 
Cayuga  Lake  Steamboat  Line,  with  the  same  last  named  connections,  while  all 
these  lines  have  a  lively  competitor  in  the  Utica,  Ithaca  and  Elmira  Railroad, 


US 

which  connects  at  Elmirawith  the  Erie,  and  at  Canastota  with  the  West  Shore 
and  New  York  Central  Railroads.  The  Erie  Canal  is  also  made  accessible  by 
Cayuga  Lake,  being  intersected  at  Cayuga,  and  a  considerable  portion  of  the 
heavier  freights — grain  and  coal — is  carried  over  the  Lake  to  this  canal.  Three 
banks — the  First  National,  Tompkins  County  National  and  the  Ithaca  Savings 
Bank — afford  unexceptionable  banking  facilities  and  the  telegraph,  telephone,  * 
mail  and  express  service  is  most  complete.  Its  hotels  are  really  excellent — in 
fact,  Ithaca  possesses  nearly  all  the  advantages  of  a  city  without  many  of  the 
disadvantages  incident  thereto,  and  may  fairly  be  characterized  as  an  equally 
desirable  location  for  business  or  pleasure.  But  that  it  is  not  simply  a  "Univer- 
sity town"  or  dependent  solely  upon  its  attractiveness  of  location  and  scenery 
for  notice  will  be  admitted  by  the  visitor  if  the  trouble  is  taken  to  inspect  the 
piano  and  organ,  the  calendar  clock,  the  autophone  and  the  glass  factories,  the 
gun  works,  the  agricultural  implement  manufactories  and  other  industrial  estab- 
lishments that  are  giving  it  a  name  and  a  place  among  the  manufacturing  towns 
of  Central  New  York,  whose  products  are  attaining  a  national  reputation.  And 
for  the  benefit  of  those  that  cannot,  brief  historical  and  descriptive  sketches 
of  its  resourses — of  the  leading  manufacturing  and  mercantile  establishments — 
will  be  presented,  with  the  belief  that  to  many  they  will  prove  interesting,  and  to 
those  for  whom  they  have  no  interest,  I  can  only  say  :  "Beg  pardon  for  their 
introduction,  but  to  the  village  of  Ithaca  these  establishments  are  of  more 
vital  import  than  all  its  magnificent  scenery,  and  therefore  must  have  equal 
representation." 

THE    FOREST  CITY  MIXED  PUNT  WORKS. 

Of  all  the  manufacturing  interests  in  Ithaca,  none  are  more  fully  entitled  to 
recognition  in  this  work  than  the  Forest  City  Mixed  Paint  Works.  Although 
established  but  a  couple  of  years,  and  giving  employment  to  fewer  workmen, 
probably,  than  some  of  the  other  industries,  the  benefits  the  village  must  event- 
ually derive  from  this  industty,  the  superior  character  of  the  products  of  which 
will  undoubtedly  cause  it  to  grow  and  become  one  of  the  large  labor-employing 
concerns,  are  such  that  it  is  not  only  worthy  a  prominent  position  in  ITHACA  AND 
ITS  RESOURCES,  but  deserving  the  fullest  support  and  encouragement  of  residents 
of  the  "  Forest  City.'1  And  it  is  seldom,  too,  in  these  days,  when  the  cities  and 
towns  of  the  East  and  West  are  vieing  with  each  other  in  their  efforts  to  secure 
the  location  of  manufacturing  enterprises  in  their  midst,  that  a  manufacturer  with 
both  capital  and  ability  settles  in  a  locality  without  receiving  some  valuable  con- 
sideration as  an  inducement,  without  any  other  expectation  than  that  solely  by 
the  merit  of  his  products  is  he  to  benefit  by  adding  his  quota  to  the  resources,  the 
wealth,  prosperity  and  industrial  reputation  of  a  place. 

That  a  prejudice  against  ready-mixed  paint  exists — fostered  principally  by 
painters  for  obvious  reasons— there  is  no  denying,  but  this  prejudice  is  rapidly 
being  overcome,  just  as  has  been  overcome  the  prejudices  that  from  time  immem- 
orial have  obstructed  the  progress  of  labor-saving  inventions  and  other  innova- 
tions that  have  proven  a  boon  to  mankind,  True,  it  is  sometimes  not  without 

*    See   sketch  entitled  "Ithaca  Telephone  Service." 


ns 

reason  this  prejudice  exists,  for  in  this  as  in  all  'other  branches  of  business  there 
are  persons  who  care  not  for  reputation  and  produce  and  sell  great  quantities  of 
an  article  at  an  immense  profit  until  the  people  discover  its  worthlessness,  when 
they  abandon  its  manufacture  and  engage  in  some  other  scheme  for  deluding  the 
public.  But  when  a  responsible  manufacturer  places  an  article  upon  the  market 
which  he  guarantees  to  be  as  represented,  prejudices  so  formed  should  not  be 
allowed  to  prevent  its  trial,  especially  when  there  is  every  reason  to  believe  such 
trial  will  prove  beneficial. 

And  it  is  now  generally  admitted  that  ready-mixed  paints,  when  produced 
by  responsible  manufacturers,  are  far  superior  and  more  preferable  to  paints 
mixed  in  the  old  way  just  as  required.  This  favorable  feeling  is  doubtless  largely 
owing  to  the  fact  that  people  are  becoming  more  generally  acquainted  with  the 
process  of  manufacturing  these  paints,  and  when  this  process  is  fully  understood 
they  readily  perceive  why  ready-mixed  paints  can  be  sold  cheaper  than  they  can 
buy  the  material  and  mix  it  themselves,  and  are  in  other  respects  more  preferable. 

The  Forest  City  Mixed  Paint  Works,  at  the  corner  of  State  and  Meadow 
streets,  possess  facilities  for  the  production  of  these  paints  that  are  unsurpassed 
by  any  manufacturer  in  the  country.  The  building  occupied  is  a  three-story  frame 
structure,  66  x  75  feet  in  dimensions,  and  is  thoroughly  equipped  with  the  most 
improved  machinery  and  conveniently  arranged  according  to  the  advanced  ideas 
of  the  proprietor,  Mr.  J.  W.  Tibbetts,  the  motive  power  for  driving  the  machinery 
being  furnished  by  an  engine  of  ten-horse  power.  The  material  is  carried  on  ele- 
vators and  the  oil  pumped  to  the  third  story,  where  the  lumps  are  crushed  and 
the  proper  quantities  of  oil  and  other  material  weighed  out  and  by  an  ingenious 
arrangement  conducted  to  the  mixing  tanks  on  the  second  floor.  Rapidly  turn- 
ing agitators  in  these  tanks  thoroughly  mix  the  material  until  it  has  assumed  the 
character  of  ordinary  paint,  when  it  is  permitted  to  run  into  the  mills  for  grind- 
ing. One  of  these  mills  is  connected  with  each  tank  and  the  grinding  is  conduc- 
ted in  the  most  systematic  and  economical  manner,  as,  indeed,  is  the  whole  pro- 
cess. When  ground  the  paint  is  ready  for  use,  possessing  the  proper  consistency 
and  being  entirely  devoid  of  sediment,  and  is  sent  down  to  the  first  floor,  where 
it  is  put  up  in  packages  for  sale  and  shipment.  Thus  it  will  be  seen  that  large 
quantities  of  paint  can  be  thoroughly  mixed  and  ground  at  a  slight  cost,  com- 
paratively, while  the  advantages  of  having  the  material  mixed  and  ground  under 
the  superintendence  of  a  specialist  are  obvious.  Forest  City  Mixed  Paints  are 
manufactured  under  Mr.  Tibbetts'  personal  supervision  from  pure  white  lead  and 
oxide  of  zinc,  ground  in  pure  linseed  oil.  The  raw  material  is  first  quality,  pur- 
chased direct  from  the  mines,  and  the  oil  is  the  purest  linseed  that  is  boiled. 
And  as  an  earnest  of  his  assertions  as  to  the  purity  of  his  mixed  paints,  Mr.  Tib- 
bett's  has  frequently  been  heard  to  offer  a  forfeit  of  a  thousand  dollars  for  any 
adulteration  discovered  in  the  material  used  in  the  manufacture  of  Forest  City 
Mixed  Paints. 

Thirty-two  distinct  colors  are  manufactured  at  the  Forest  City  Mixed  Paint 
Works,  and  as  an  illustration  of  the  popularity  and  reputation  they  are  acquiring 
it  might  be  mentioned  that  C.  E.  Clark,  architect  of  the  National  Capitol,  at 
Washington,  D.  C.,  gives  these  paints  the  preference  over  those  of  all  other 
manufacturers.  Forest  City  Mixed  Paint  is  not  only  unchangeable  in  color, 


MS 

economical  and  durable,  but  is  superior  on  account  of  its  body  and  wearing  pro- 
perties, and  as  this  fact  becomes  more  fully  known  the  demand  for  it  must  still 
more  largely  increase  and  this  industry  become  of  still  more  value  to  the  business 
interests  of  Ithaca. 

Mr.  Tibbetts'  spent  his  boyhood's  days  in  Ithaca,  and  when  the  war  of  the 
rebellion  burst  upon  the  country,  went  out  as  a  volunteer  with  Colonel  Baker's 
First  California  Regiment,  and  just  in  time,  too,  to  take  part  in  the  first  battle  of 
Bull  Run.  At  the  end  of  his  two  year's  service,  he  again  enlisted,  this  time  with 
the  logth  New  York  Regiment,  and  thus  spent  four  years  in  the  service  of  his 
country,  being  promoted  from  the  ranks  to  the  captaincy  of  a  company.  Coming 
home  at  the  close  of  the  war,  and  feeling  the  need  of  a  business  education,  he 
entered  a  Commercial  College  at  Poughkeepsie,  and  after  a  course  of  study  there 
engaged  in  the  mercantile  business  at  Pond  Eddy,  N.  Y.  Here  he  remained 
about  eight  years,  meeting  with  success  in  his  business  ventures  and  marrying  an 
estimable  lady.  Having  become  prosperous,  and  the  father  of  a  couple  bright 
children,  a  few  years  ago  he  disposed  of  his  business  in  Pond  Eddy,  and  removed 
to  his  old  home  in  Ithaca  to  give  his  children  the  advantages  of  the  society  and 
education  it  so  fully  confers.  He  then  purchased  an  interest  in  the  Superior 
Paint  Company  of  Havana,  N.  Y.,  and  becoming  familiar  with  the  manufacture 
of  mixed  paints  and  discovering  that  he  possessed  a  special  aptitude  for  the  busi- 
ness, after  a  couple  years  bought  out  his  partners  and  removed  the  business  in 
1880  to  Ithaca,  believing  that  by  the  production  of  a  superior  article  it  could  be 
developed  into  a  large  industry.  Purchasing  the  property  at  the  corner  of  State 
and  Meadow  streets,  he  razed  to  the  ground  the  old  building  formerly  standing 
there,  and  erected  the  fine  factory  he  now  occupies.  The  business  has  about 
doubled  with  each  succeeding  year,  but  he  has  expended  a  large  amount  of  mon- 
ey in  bringing  the  merits  of  Forest  City  Mixed  Paint  to  the  notice  of  the  public, 
and  it  has  not  as  yet  had  time  to  fully  return.  But  it  will,  and  the  prediction  is 
ventured  that  the  decided  merit  and  superiority  of  his  paint  will  in  a  short  time 
make  the  Forest  City  Paint  Works  one  of  the  largest  industries  of  the  kind  in 
the  country.  Mr.  Tibbetts,  is  a  liberal  and  enterprising  as  well  as  far  seeing  and 
shrewd  business  man  and  deserving  the  great  success  in  this  business  which  must 
eventually  be  his,  and  which  should  be  the  reward  of  every  man  who  resolutely 
determines  to  produce  the  best  article  of  the  kind  manufactured  or  nothing. 

THE  ITMSCA  CALENDAR  CLOCK  COMPANY. 

An  industry  that  has  done  much  to  make  the  name  of  Ithaca  known  throughout 
the  world  is  the  manufacture  of  calendar  clocks, an  article  now  acknowledged  to  be 
indispensable  to  every  place  of  business — a  necessity  in  every  office,  in  every 
household.  And  it  is  with  justifiable  pride  that  this  industry  can  be  spoken  of, 
for  not  only  is  here  produced  the  only  perfectly  reliable  calendar  clock  manu- 
factured, but  these  clocks  have  made  their  way  into  all  parts  of  the  world,  spread- 
ing the  name  and  the  fame  of  the  "Forest  City"  in  nearly  every  habitable  part  of 
the  globe.  Much  skill  and  ingenuity  have  been  expended  in  bringing  to  a  state 
of  perfection  the  mechanism  producing  such  wonderful  results,  and  the  Ithaca 
Calendar  Clock,  indicating  perpetually  th.e  day  of  the  month,  the  month  of  the 
year,  the  hour  of  the  day  and  the  day  of  the  week,  is  really  one  of  the  wonders  of 


the  progress  and  development  of  the  Nineteenth  Century.  It  is  accomplished  by 
a  perpetual  mechanical  calendar  of  the  most  ingenious  construction,  connected 
with  superior  eight  and  thirty  day  (either  weight  or  spring)  clock  movements. 
The  calendars  are  printed  in  the  English. Spanish, Portugese, French, German, Rus- 
sian, Turkish  and  Asiatic  languages,  and  the  clocks  are  manufactured  in  numer- 
ous styles,  ranging  widely  in  prices  to  suit  the  various  wants  of  the  public.  They 
are  the  only  calendar  clocks  that  received  a  certificate  of  award  at  the  Internation- 
al Exhibition  at  Philadelphia  in  1876,  at  Sydney  in  1879,  and  at  Melbourne  in 
1880. 


The  first  calendar  carried  by  clock  machinery  in  America  was  invent- 
ed by  J.  H.  Hawes,  of  Ithaca,  and  was  patented  in  1853. 
This  calendar  was  imperfect,  as  it  would  not  make  the  change  of  the 
2gth  of  February,  in  leap  year.  In  1854  W.  H.  Akins  invented  an  improve- 
ment on  this  calendar,  automatic  in  its  operations,  readjusting  itself  to  show  all 
the  changes,  including  the  2gth  of  February.  This  calendar  was  purchased  by 


ns 


Huntington  &  Platts  and  placed  by  them  in  the  hands  of  the  Mix  Brothers,  of 
Ithaca,  for  manufacture.  Still  further  improvements  were  made  by  the  Mix 
Brothers,  for  which  patents  were  granted  in  1860  and  1862,  and  the  Messrs.  Hunt- 
ineton  &  Platts  continued  to  manufacture  large  bank  calendar  clocks  for  a  year 
or  two,  and  then  disposed  of  their  patents  to  the  Seth  Thomas  Clock  Company 
of  Connecticut.  During  1864-5  Mr.  Horton,of  Ithaca,  invented  a  new  and  almost 
perfect  perpetual  calendar,  and  in  April,  1865,  obtained  his  first  patent,  in  eight 
distinct  claims.  This  calendar,  subsequently  improved  and;made  absolutely  per- 
fect, is  the  one  owned  and  used^only  by  the  Ithaca  Calendar  Clock  Company, 


and  which   has  given  them  virtually   a  monopoly  of  the  calendar  clock    business 
of  the  world. 

Horton  interested  several  gentlemen  in  his  invention  and  in  August,  of  1868, 
the  Ithaca  Calendar  Clock  Company  was  formed  for  the  purpose  of  producing 
calendar  clocks  under  his  patents,  the  officers  of  the  company  being  John  H. 
Selkreg,  President  ;  Samuel  P.  Sherwood,  Vice  President,  and  William  J.  Storms, 


ns 


Secretary  and  Treasurer.  The  capital  of  the  company  was  only  $800,  and  opera- 
tions were  begun  on  a  very  modest  scale  in  a  single  room  located  directly  oppo- 
site Treman  Bros,  shop  on  Cayuga  street.  The  clocks  possessing  both  merit 
and  novelty  met  with  a  large  sale  and  in  a  short  time  this  single  room  had  become 
entirely  inadequate  for  the  business.  About  1869  J.  B.  Williams  fitted  up  his 
three  story  brick  building  on  State  street  for  the  company,  into  which  they  re- 
moved and  continued  the  manufacture  of  the  calendar  clocks  on  a  much  larger 
scale,  the  capacity  after  the  removal  being  about  twenty  times  greater.  Here  they 
remained  until  1874,  when  Messrs.  Selkreg  and  Sherwood  were  succeeded  by 
Messrs.  B.  G.  Jayne  and  Hervey  Platts  as  President  and  Vice  President,  respec- 
tively, the  capital  of  the  company  was  increased  to  $150,000,  and  large  three  story 
brick  buildings  were  erected  on  the  old  Tompkins  County  FairGrounds,  at  Adams, 
Auburn,  Dey  and  Franklin  streets.  These  buildings  formed  a  hollow  square, 
100x130  feet  in  dimensions  and  here  again  the  capacity  was  largely  increased. 
An  immense  number  of  calendar  clocks  were  annually  produced  and  placed  upon 
the  market,  and  it  was  apparently  thought  the  production  could  not  be  too  great. 
In  February,  1876,  the  works  were  destroyed  by  fire.  They  were  immediately  re- 
built, however,  but  in  the  fall  of  1877  Charles  H.  White  succeeded  Mr.  Storms  as 
Secretary  and  Treasurer,  and  H.  M.  Durphy  was  given  the  superintendence  and 
general  management  of  the  concern  and  the  more  conservative  and  wise  conduct 
of  its  affairs  that  has  since  characterized  its  management  has  proven  decidedly 
profitable.  At  the  election  of  officers  in  January,  1883,  Messrs.  F.  C.  Cornell, 
Francis  M.  Finch  and  Charles  H.  White  were  respectively  chosen  to  fill  the  offices 
of  President,  Vice  President  and  Secretary  and  Treasurer,  and  the  Ithaca  Calen- 
dar Clock  Company  is  probably  now  in  the  most  highly  prosperous  condition  it 
has  ever  been.  About  6,000  calendar  clocks  are  annually  produced,  which,  selling 
at  prices  ranging  from  $10  to  $75  each,  bring  into  Ithaca  a  large  aggregate  amount 
of  money,  and  as  a  force  of  about  34  people  are  employed,  chiefly  the  more  skill- 
ed mechanics,  the  industry  is  of  great  value  to  the  place. 

The  works  of  this  company  occupying  the  square  bounded  by  Adams,  Au- 
burn, Dey  and  Franklin  streets,  present  to  the  visitor  an  interesting  exhibit  of 
some  of  the  most  ingenious  special  machinery  ever  invented.  As  previously 
stated,  the  buildings  are  three  story  brick  structures  arranged  in  the  form  of  a  hol- 
low square  part  of  them,  however,  being  now  occupied  by  the  Autophone  Com- 
pany. A  75-horse  power  boiler  furnishes  steam  for  heating  purposes,  as  also  sup- 
plying the  so-horse  power  engine  driving  the  machinery,  and  the  entire  plant,  in 
its  completeness  and  convenience,  is  a  characteristic  sample  of  American  enter- 
prise. One  of  the  interestingfeatures  is  an  electric  arrangement  for  detectingany 
failure  on  the  part  of  the  watchman  to  discharge  faithfully  his  duties,  and  another, 
the  machine  invented  for  the  purpose  of  testing  the  workings  of  the  calendars, 
and  by  which  they  are  run  through  all  the  changes  of  eight  years  of  time  before 
leaving  the  factory,  none  being  shipped  until  they  have  passed  this  test  and  been 
proven  in  all  respects  accurate  and  reliable.  All  of  the  machinery,  however,  is 
specially  adapted  to  the  peculiar  needs  of  this  industry,  and  embraces  every 
known  labor-saving  device  for  the  production  of  the  mechanism  of  the  clocks  as 
well  as  the  handsome  cases  enclosing  them.  And  in  this  connection  it  might  be 


US 

mentioned  that  the  engine  and  much  of  the  machinery  were  designed  and  built  by 
Mr.  Durphy,  the  superintendent,  before  he  had  any  idea  of  being  connected  with 
the  concern,  and  for  the  substantial  work  then  done  he  now  has  reason  to  congrat- 
ulate himself. 

Forty  different  styles  and  combinations  are  made  by  the  Ithaca  Calendar  Clock 
Company,  and  it  is  not  an  unusual  proceeding  to  make  a  clock  to  suit  some 
special  room  in  any  wood  or  design  that  may  be  desired.  Fourteen  special  cal- 
endar clocks  were  last  year  made  for  the  State  Capitol  at  Albany  and  the  univer- 
sal satisfaction  given  is  proverbial.  The  New  York  office  of  the  company  is  with 
the  Waterbury  Clock  Company,  at  No.  4,  Cortlandt  street,  and  transactions  with 
either  this  or  the  home  office  are  attended  with  the  most  satisfactory  results.  And 
with  the  facilities  possessed  by  the  Ithaca  Calendar  Clock  Company  and  a  repu- 
tation extending  from  one  end  of  the  civilized  world  to  the  other,  there  need  not 
any  fear  be  expressed  that  competitors  will  outstrip  them  in  the  race  for  patron- 
age, or  Ithaca  fail  to  receive  continued  benefits  from  the  industry  that  has  added 
so  largely  to  its  industrial  reputation. 

MSRSR  &  HfiLL 

The  establishment  of  which  Messrs.  John  O.  Marsh  and  Edwin  M.  Hall 
are  the  proprietors  justly  ranks  as  the  foremost  retail  house  in  Tompkins  county, 
and  in  some  important  respects  it  equals,  if  not  excels,  some  of  the  largest  stores 
in  any  of  the  neighboring  cities.  The  fine  business  of  which  these  gentlemen 
are  to-day  the  fortunate  possessors  has  been  built  up  in  the  course  of  twelve 
years,  entirely  through  the  energy  and  mercantile  sagacity  of  the  present  mem- 
bers of  the  firm.  In  1871  Mr.  Marsh,  who  had  for  a  long  term  of  years  been  en- 
gaged in  trade  in  the  near-by  village  of  McLean,  in  connection  with  his  brother, 
D.  B.  Marsh,  sold  his  interests  there  and  removed  to  Ithaca.  Mr.  Hall  entered 
the  co-partnership  with  Mr.  Marsh,  with  a  business  experience  of  seven  years, 
one  of  which  was  passed  in  the  employ  of  the  former  firm  of  J.  W.  &  J.Quigg,and 
six  with  Granger  &  Co.  Marsh  &  Hall  began  the  dry-goods  business  in  the  hand- 
some store  at  53  East  State  street  A  fine  trade  was  ere  long  established,  and  the 
business  success  of  the  new  firm  became  an  assured  fact.  In  1877  through  the  fail- 
ure of  the  firm  occupying  the  spacious  store  in  the  Wilgus  Block  at  the  corner 
of  Tioga  and  State  streets  it  became  vacant.  Several  firms  in  succession  had  failed 
while  occupying  this  store,  and  when  Marsh  &  Hall  announced  their  intention  of 
removing  their  growing  business  to  the  more  commodious  quarters  in  the  Wilgus 
Block,  the  wisdom  of  the  proposed  change  was  generally  questioned  by  their 
many  friends.  However  the  change  was  made  and  the  result  has  verified  the 
soundness  of  judgment  of  the  enterprising  gentlemen,  who  scouting  all  thoughts 
of  disaster,  boldly  enlarged  their  lines  as  favorable  opportunity  was  presented. 
Their  trade  has  been  enlarged  in  six  years  to  upwards  of  four  times  the  dimen- 
sions it  had  attained  in  the  store  at  first  occupied.  The  value  of  the  stock  car- 
ried is  now  about  $75,000  and  the  sales  for  the  current  year  will  exceed  $150,000. 
The  business  of  this  important  firm  occupies  the  first  floor  and  basement  of 
the  Wilgus  Block,  the  dimensions  of  each  floor  being  100x46  feet ;  a  portion  of 
the  basement  of  the  adjoining  store  is  also  made  use  of.  The  main  floor  consists 


10 

of  two  divisions,  the  east  one  being  devoted  to  the  dry  goods,  clothing  and  fancy- 
goods  and  notion  stock,  and  the  west  division,  to  a  complete  line  of  groceries, 
provisions,  crockery,  and  glass  ware. 

The  line  of  fine  silks,  and  other  rich  dress  goods  carried  is  very  large  and 
varied.  It  is  worthy  of  notice  in  passing  that  the  sale  of  silks  this  year,  has  been 
the  largest  ever  enjoyed  by  the  firm,  although  they  have  made  a  specialty  of  silks 
for  some  years.  The  custom  clothing  department  is  an  important  one,  a 
very  large  stock  of  suitings  and  overcoat  cloths  being  carried.  The  feature  of 
the  business,  however,  in  which  Marsh  &  Hall  easily  outrank  all  other  houses  in 
this  section  of  the  State  is  in  their  carpet  stock.  The  whole  of  the  extensive  floor 
age  of  the  basement  is  devoted  to  this  stock,  which  has  frequently  reached  the 
value  of  from  $25,000  to  $28,000.  It  is  a  positive  fact  that  one  cannot  find  else 
where  in  this  State,  a  place  the  size  of  Ithaca,  in  which  so  large,  complete  and 
varied  a  stock  of  carpets  is  kept  as  at  this  store,  and  it  is  said  by  well  informed 
persons,  that  even  the  fine  neighboring  cities  of  Elmira,  Binghamton  and  Au- 
burn do  not  contain  a  store  carrying  a  carpet  stock  equal  to  that  of  Marsh  & 
Hall.  This  is  an  interesting  and  instructive  item  in  the  consideration  of  the 
mercantile  resources  of  this  village. 

The  several  departments  of  this  admirable  store  are  in  the  charge  of  experi- 
enced, capable  men,  who  are  assisted  by  a  corps  of  courteous  and  obliging  sales- 
men. There  are  fifteen  men  employed  in  the  several  departments  of  the  store. 
The  existence  here  of  this  large,  splendidly  stocked,  and  finely  conducted  store, 
is  a  decided  credit  to  this  village,  and  the  fact  that  it  is  prosperous,  and  its  trade 
increasing  yearly  is  an  evidence  of  the  large  business  capacity  of  its  proprietors, 
as  well  as  of  the  ability  to  properly  appreciate  mercantile  enterprise  and  worth 
on  the  part  of  the  residents  of  this  village  and  the  surrounding  farming  districts. 

C.  J.  RUMSEY  &  CO. 

One  of  the  largest  and  most  prosperous  establishments  conducted  by  a  firm 
of  young  men  in  Ithaca  is  that  of  C.  J.  Rumsey  &  Co.,  situated  at  6S  East  State 
street.  For  upwards  of  fifty  years  this  store  has  been  continuously  occupied  for 
the  sale  of  hardware.  Prior  to  that  time  a  frame  building  stood  upon  the  site  of 
the  present  building  in  which  a  small  theatre  was  conducted  by  the  Atvvaters. 
This  building  was  destroyed  by  fire  in  1832  or  1833.  Then  a  brick  building  was 
erected  on  the  site  and  was  opened  as  a  hardware  store.  This  was  conducted  for 
years  by  the  late  George  B.  McCormick.and  Jacob  McCormick.  Afterwards  the 
store  was  managed  by  E.  G.  Pelton,  who  in  1858  sold  the  business  to  the  late 
John  Rumsey.  By  him  it  was  conducted  with  large  profit  and  success  for  thirty 
years.  It  is  said  that  by  a  fortunate  purchase  of  nails  and  spikes  in  large  quan- 
tities just  previous  to  the  outbreak  of  the  War  of  the  Rebellion,  Mr.  Rumsey  in 
consequence  of  the  great  increase  in  the  price  of  iron  during  the  following  year 
realized  from  their  sale,  and  his  trade  for  the  year  in  general,  the  sum  of  $30,000. 
This  was  the  beginning  of  his  subsequent  very  successful  business  career.  In 
1876,  Charles  J.  Rumsey  who  had  for  a  number  of  years  been  in  the  employ  of 
John  Rumsey,  became  a  part  owner  of  the  business,  the  firm  becoming  John 
Rumsey  &  Co.  In  1878  John  Rumsey  withdrew  entirely  from  the  business,  and 


i\ 

a  copartnership  was  formed  by  C.  J.  Rumsey,  Edwin  Jillett,  and  Edgar  M. 
Finch,  under  the  style  of  C.  J.  Rumsey  &  Co.  Mr.  Finch  withdrew  from  the 
firm  a  year  later,  and  Messrs.  Rumsey  &  Jillett  have  since  continued  the  busi- 
ness under  the  same  firm  name.  The  large  business  which  had  been  done  in  the 
earlier  days  of  John  Rumsey's  sole  proprietorship  had  somewhat_depreciated 
toward  the  end  of  his  mercantile  career.  The  falling  off  in  trade  at  this  old  and 
favorably  known  stand  has  been  much  more  than  made  good  however  by  the 
vigorous  young  firm  now  conducting  it.  The  volume  of  trade  for  the  current 
year  will  far  exceed  that  of  any  previous  year  in  the  history  of  the  store,  when 
the  fact  is  remembered  that  the  prices  now  prevailing  are  very  much  lower  than 
in  former  years. 

The  stock  carried  is  an  extensive  and  varied  one,  the  large  three  story  and 
basement  building  being  filled  to  its  entire  capacity  and  part  of  a  second  build- 
ing fronting  on  Tioga  Street  is  also  used.  In  addition  to  a  full  supply  of  stoves 
and  ranges  in  all  the  principal  leading  styles,  and  general  hardware,  the  firm 
deal  extensively  in  fine  pocket  cutlery,  carpenter's  tools. bird  cages.blacksmith's 
supplies,  and  sash,  doors  and  blinds.  There  is  a  large  tin  shop  connected  with 
the  store,  where  tinware  of  all  kinds  is  manufactured,  and  in  this  department 
are  several  experienced  roofers.  Rumsey  &  Co.  are  agents  for  this  section  of 
the  famous  Hazard  powder,  a  magazine  where  a  large  supply  of  powder  is  kept 
on  hand  having  been  erected  by  them  a  few  years  ago.  In  the  several  departments 
of  the  business  twelve  men  are  employed.  Their  fine  prizes  of  "Happy  Thought'' 
ranges,  given  for  the  last  two  years  to  the  handsomest  child  under  two  years  of 
age  shown  at  the  fair  of  the  Tompkins  County  Agricultural  Society,  have  strong- 
ly attested  the  public  spirit  and  enterprise  of  the  firm,  and  the  baby  shows  thus 
brought  about  have  been  among  the  leading  features  of  the  fairs.  The  confi- 
dence and  esteem  in  which  Mr.  Rumsey  is  held  by  his  fellow  citizens 
was  given  public  expression  by  his  election  last  season  to  the 
Presidency  of  the  village,  an  office  whose  complex  duties  he  succeeds  in 
discharging  most  acceptably  to  citizens  generally  without  regard  to  their  politi- 
cal affiilations.  The  members  of  this  firm  believe  fully  in  the  principle  of  letting 
the  outside  world  know  what  the}'  are  doing  and  their  fine  and  yearly  increasing 
trade  proves  most  clearly  the  wisdom  of  their  course.  They  are  also  satisfied 
that  what  Ithaca  needs  most  from  a  commercial  point  of  view  is  the  ecourage- 
ment  of  a  movement  for  the  enlargement  of  the  manufacturing  interests  of  the 
place,  having  sufficient  business  sagacity  to  plainly  foresee  that  any  increase  of 
those  interests  will  be  necessarily  accompanied  by  a  corresponding  growth  and 
enlargement  of  the  established  mercantile  trade  of  the  place.  Should  this  libe- 
ral sentiment  fortunately  continue  to  develop  through  the  encouragement  of 
President  Rumsey  and  other  equally  progressive  citizens,  the  future  commercial 
importance  of  Ithaca  may  with  good  reason  be  expected  to  very  considerably 
increase. 

J.  C.  STO¥ELL  &  SON. 

That  Ithaca  is  fortunate  in  possessing  a  number  of  well-stocked  and  admira- 
bly managed  retail  groceries  is  a  fact  which  has  not  unfrequently  been  alluded  to 
in  the  public  prints,  but  that  there  is  also  in  existence  here  a  wholesale  grocery 


US 


and  provision  store  on  an  important  scale  and  equal  in  many  respects  to  large 
city  establishments  of  a  similar  character  is  not  so  generally  understood.  A 
glance  through  the  excellently  appointed  and  fully  stocked  wholesale  grocery  and 
provision  house  of  Messrs.  J.  C.  Stowell  &  Son,  on  West  State  street,  would  con- 
vince  the  most  skeptical  of  the  truth  of  this  statement.  The  fine  business  now 
transacted  by  this  reliable  and  enterprising  firm  has  had  a  growth  extending  through 
a  long  term  of  years.  Its  large  increase  during  the  last  ten  years,  however,  which 
has  brought  it  into  the  front  rank  of  the  important  commercial  enterprises  of  this 
place,  has  in  a  large  degree  been  made  possible  by  the  excellent  transportation 
facilities  and  reduced  rates,  which  have  resulted  from  the  admirable  and  popular 
conduct,  by  the  Lehigh  Valley  Company,  of  its  railroad  reaching  this  village. 
In  1835  John  C.  Stowell,  then  a  young  man  only  18  years  of  age  came  to  this  vil- 
lage from  Groton,  in  this  county,  and  entered  the  employ  of  Miles  Finch,  propri- 
etor of  a  general  merchandise  store.  Five  years  later  by  close  attention  to  busi- 
ness and  the  strictest  integrity  he  had  so  won  the  esteem  of  his  employer  that  he 
was  taken  in  as  an  equal  partner,  the  firm  becoming  Finch  &  Stowell.  The  busi- 
ness prospered  and  after  twelve  years  passed  exclusively  into  the  hands  of  the 
junior  member  of  the  firm.  A  little  later  S.  P.  Sherwood  became  associated  with 
Mr.  Stowell  and  the  firm  of  Stowell  &  Shenvood  continued  until  1864.  The  gen- 
eral merchandise  business  was  conducted  by  Mr.  Stowell  until  1872,  when  it  was 
sold  to  H.  L.  Wilgus.  Mr.  Stowell,  associating  with  himself,  his  son,  Calvin  D. 
Stowell,  who  was  then  a  recent  graduate  of  Yale,  began  a  wholesale  grocery  and 
produce  business  in  the  old  brick  store  adjoining  his  fine  new  block,  which  had 
previously  been  occupied  by  J.  H.  Hintermister  for  the  manufacture  of  organs. 
In  1875  the  business  had  prospered  so  well  that  the  building  occupied  was  found 
to  be  far  too  small.  Then  in  connection  with  C.  M.  Titus,  the  Messrs.  Stowell 
built  the  large,  fine  block,  known  as  the  Titus  &  Stowell  block,  which  now  orna- 
ments West  State  street.  In  1876  the  new  store  was  taken  possession  of,  in  ad- 
dition to  the  former  quarters,  by  Stowell  &  Son.  The  new  store  is  a  model  of 
neatness  and  perfect  fitness  for  the  purposes  to  which  it  was  designed.  It  consists 
of  a  large  roomy  basement,  and  four  upper  floors,  85x35  feet,  all  connected  both 
by  stairways  and  a  large  and  admirably  operating  passenger  and  freight  elevator, 
of  the  Reedy  patent 

In  all  the  attributes  of  a  first-class  wholesale  grocery,  provision  and  retail- 
er's supply  house,  the  establishment  of  Messrs.  Stowell  &  Son,  is  not  surpassed 
in  this  section  of  the  State.  They  are  constantly  adding  to  their  reputation  and 
mercantile  importance  through  a  system  of  strict  reliability,  and  fair  dealing. 
Mr.  Stowell,  in  addition  to  his  large  commercial  connections,  is  a  director  of 
the  First  National  Bank,  and  was  one  of  the  incorporators.  The  important  busi- 
ness which  the  Messrs.  Stoweli  have  succeeded  by  industry,  enterprise  and  hon- 
est dealing  in  building  up,  will  doubtless  continue  to  grow,  bringing  credit  to  the 
place  in  which  it  is  located,  and  further  financial  prosperity  to  the  worthy  pro- 
prietors. 

HENRY  BOOL 

A  little  more  than  ten  years  ago,  while  the  splendid  Cornell  mansion  which 
now  graces  East  Hill  was  still  in  an  unfinished  condition,  among  the  artisans  em- 


HS   WLSOVJfcCtS.  13 

ployed  there  was  a  certain  young  Englishman,  a  carpenter  and  joiner  who  was 
working  on  "short  hours".  After  spending  a  few  months  here  the  idea  occurred 
to  him  to  take  up  as  a  source  of  additional  revenue  the  work  of  canvassing  for 
subscribers  for  the  New  York  weekly  newspapers,  viz:  The  Independent  and  the 
GoldenAge.  He  seemed  to  possess  peculiar  qualifications  for  the  work  and  much 
success  attended  his  efforts  in  this  direction.  One  evening  while  talking  earnest- 
ly with  a  well-known  merchant  on  State  street  in  regard  to  subscribing  for  one  of 
the  above  mentioned  papers,  ex-President  Sisson,  who  was  standing  near  and 
had  overheard  the  conversation,  turned  to  the  young  man,  saying  :  "You  ought 
to  drop  the  jack  plane  altogether  and  make  a  steady  business  of  canvassing." 
The  advice  conveyed  in  these  words  was  shortly  followed,  and  thereafter  for  a 
year  or  more,  the  quondam  carpenter  and  joiner  pushed  vigorously  his  canvassing. 
From  early  morn  until  long  after  sundown  he  journeyed  about,  extending  his 
travels  into  surrounding  towns  and  villages  and  to  the  remotest  borders.of  the 
county.  The  knowledge  acquired  in  these  visits  to  the  homes  of  the  well-to-do 
people  of  the  county  was  to  be  in  the  future  of  great  service  to  the  young  man, 
and  the  means  saved  from  his  year's  work  at  canvassing,  fortunately  invested, 
formed  the  basis  of  much  prosperity  in  years  to  come.  The  reader  is  asked  to 
imagine  a  period  of  ten  years  gone  by.  A  fine  three  story  building  comes  to 
view.  Through  its  beautiful  plate  glass  front  may  be  seen  a  profusion  of  rich  and 
varied  wares  ;  up  and  down  the  spacious  store  move  the  many  customers,  and 
courteous  salesmen  and  ladies  are  supplying  their  wants,  or  showing  them  about 
the  establishment,  wbich  from  basement  to  roof  is  literally  packed  with  goods. 
New  goods  are  being  received,  purchased  wares  sent  out  for  delivery,  busy  sounds 
come  from  the  large  work  shops  at  the  rear,  and  moving  quietly  about  directing  the 
whole  machinery  of  this,  the  largest  and  best  stocked  art,  furniture  and  variety 
goods  store  in  this  section  of  the  State,  is  a  plainly  dressed,  hard-worked  appear- 
ing man.  This  is  the  prpprietor  of  the  splendid  place  of  business  that  has  been 
briefly  described.  From  the  humblest  beginnings  this  magnificent  result  has  been 
achieved  in  the  short  space  of  ten  years,  and  solely  through  the  unfailing  indus-; 
try,  frugality,  business  sagacity  and  enterprise  of  one  man.  For  the  quondam 
carpenter  and  joiner,  who  has  been  described  as  the  persevering  canvasser,  of  ten 
years  ago,  is  none  other  than  the  successful  rrferchant  of  to-day,  Henry  Bool. 
But  a  more  detailed  description  of  Mr.  Bool's  establishment  and  of  its  growth 
from  so  small  a  start  to  its  present  large  proportions  will  be  found  interesting. 
As  a  canvasser  in  1873  for  subscribers  to  the  Independent  and  Golden  Age,  Mr.  Bool 
was  often  requested  by  his  customers  to  have  framed  for  them  the  premium  pic- 
tures which  the  publishers  of  those  newspapers  were  in  the  habit  of  sending  out. 
It  soon  occurred  to  him  that  it  would  be  profitable  for  him  to  make  these  frames 
himself.  So  he  got  small  quarters  in  the  Krum  building,  over  what  was  then  Uri 
Clark's  jewelry  store,  now  Sugarman's  clothing  store.  Here  for  a  year  or  more 
he  worked  in  a  small  way.  framing  the  pictures  for  subscribers,  and  gradually 
getting  together  a  small  stock  of  frames  and  pictures.  In  1874  he  bought  the  pic- 
tures, frames  and  fine  art  goods  of  Wood  &  Priest,  who  had  several  months  pre- 
viously begun  business  in  the  store  under  the  Ithaca  Hotel.  Bool  then  removed 
to  quarters  over  Miss  Ackley's  news  and  stationery  store,  then  in  the  frame  building 


US 


adjoining  the  County  Clerk's  office  on  Tioga  street.  In  this  place  he  remained 
for  two  years,  his  business  constantly  growing,  until  it  became  necessary  to  find 
more  room  elsewhere.  In  the  spring  of  1875  ne  removed  to  the  store  in  the  Pum- 
pelly  Block,  now  occupied  by  R.  A.  Heggie.  His  stock  was  greatly  added  to  and 
after  a  year  or  two  a  new  departure  in  the  line  of  house  furnishing  goods  was 
made.  The  business  still  continued  to  prosper  although  wiseacres  shook  their 
heads,  and  remarked  that  Bool  was  a  hard  worker  and  ought  to  succeed,  but  he 
was  trying  to  grow  too  fast  and  disaster  was  sure  to  follow.  He  kept  on  persist- 
ently, however,  tiding  storms  which  threatened  severely  at  times.  The  floor  im- 
mediately over  his  store  was  soon  secured,  then  successively  the  third  floors  of  a 
number  of  adjoining  buildings  were  found  to  be  necessary,  and  still  the  growth 
did  not  cease.  Finally  about  twt>  years  ago  the  ground  floor  of  the  Culver  Block 
having  become  vacant,  Mr.  Bool,  through  the  advice  and  encouragement  of  Mr. 
Geo.  E.  Priest,  of  the  Journal,  and  by  virtue  as  well  of  his  own  progressive  and 
pushing  spirit,  concluded  to  make  a  still  bolder  move  and  take  possession  of  that 
large  store.  He  was  openly  laughed  at  by  some  business  men  for  his  presump- 
tion in  daring  to  go  into  such  a  big  store.  One  facetious  person  wanted  to  know 
if  he  would  not  plant  a  potato  patch  in  one  corner  of  the  store  to  help  fill  it  up. 
Mr.  Bool  nothing  daunted  made  the  change — and  thanks  to  his  vim  and  enterprise 
the  venture  has  proved  a  wise  one.  From  occupying  the  first  floor  and  basement, he 
has  come  to  be  sole  occupant  of  the  block,  which  is  147  feet  deep,  37  feet  wide  and 
possessed  of  three  stories  and  basement.  He  also  occupies  what  was  known 
formerly  as  the  "store  house".  This  is  a  two  story  and  basement  building  facing 
on  South  Tioga  street.  It  is  70x33  feet,  and  connects  at  the  rear  with  the  main 
building  which  fronts  on  State  street.  The  area  of  his  floorage  is  upwards  of  35,- 


ns  RLSOURC-^S.  ib 

ooo  square  feet.  The  store  presents  a  very  attractive  appearance  with  its  beauti- 
ful full  length  plate  glass  windows,  in  which  frequently  changing  and  most  elabo- 
rate displays  of  rich  furniture,  tapestry  and  household  furnishing  goods  are  made. 
The  business  carried  on  is  very  extensive  and  embraces  a  wide  range  of  goods 
both  in  regard  to  cost  and  use.  Here  may  be  found  elegant  paintings  and  en- 
gravings, as  well  as  art  and  artists'  goods  of  all  kinds,  an  extensive  stock  of  fur- 
niture from  the  cheapest  to  the  most  expensive,  wall  paper,  stationery,  toys,  crock- 
ery, glass  ware,  etc.,  etc.  The  manufacture  of  picture  frames,  window  shades, 
and  upholstered  goods  is  carried  on  extensively.  Thirteen  men  are  employed  in 
this  department.  In  the  store  proper  are  twelve  employes,  making  a  total  of 
twenty  five  employes  at  Mr.  Bool's  establishment.  The  value  of  the  goods  in 
stock  is  not  less  than  $50,000.  The  average  daily  sales  have  constantly  increased 
during  the  occupancy  of  the  new  store,  and  their  aggregate  for  the  current  year 
will  reach  a  very  large  sum.  The  business  growth  of  Mr.  Bool  has  been  unpar- 
alleled in  the  history  of  commercial  enterprises  in  this  place,  and  he  has  the  sat- 
isfaction of  knowing  that  he  has  compelled  success  through  hard  work,  enterprise 
and  business  sagacity. 

HflWKINS.TODD  &  CO. 

The  oldest  of  the  leading  dry  goods  houses,  the  establishment  of  Hawkins, 
Todd  &  Co.,  at  No.  22  East  State  street,  is  deserving  of  more  than  a  passing 
mention  in  ITHACA  AND  ITS  RESOURCES.  Thirty-one  years  ago  N.  S.  Hawkins, 
then  quite  a  young  boy,  came  from  Cayuga  County  to  Ithaca  to  clerk  in  the  store 
of  Avery,  Wood  worth  &  Co.,  at  the  time  (1852)  one  of  the  largest  stores  in  the 
village.  He  was  an  industrious  young  man  and  a  good  salesman,  and  when  in 
1861  a  reorganization  of  the  firm  occurred  he  became  one  of  the  partners.  The 
new  firm  of  Morrison,  Hawkins  &  Co.  abandoned  the  sale  of  groceries,  which 
formerly  comprised  a  portion  of  the  stock,  and  confined  themselves  to  dry  goods 
exclusively.  They  were  very  successful,  and  continued  the  business  until  1869, 
when  the  firm  was  again  reorganized  under  the  title  of  Hawkins,  Finch  &  Co. 
This  firm  continued  with  like  success,  and  a  couple  of  years  ago  prepared  to 
close  out, having  acquired  a  competency  and  desiring  rest.  Mr.  Finch  did  retire, 
but  in  compliance  with  the  wishes  of  the  two  young  men,  Messrs.  L.  G.  Todd 
and  J.  J.  Rounseville,who  were  negotiating  for  the  purchase  of  the  business,  Mr. 
Hawkins  concluded  to  remain  "in  harness.'' and  in  the  spring  of  1883  the  old 
house  again  changed  name,  the  title  becoming,  this  time,  Hawkins,  Todd  & 
Co.  Messrs.  Todd  and  Rounseville  had  for  ten  years  previously  been  the  lead- 
ing salesmen  in  the  house  of  Marsh  &  Hall,  and  were  both  very  popular,  possess- 
ing a  large  circle  of  friends  and  acquaintances.  Consequently  when  they  enter- 
ed this  house  in  connection  with  Mr.  Hawkins,  who  had  been  found  in  this  same 
storeroom  nearly  every  day  from  the  time  he  entered  it  as  a  boy  thirty-one  years 
ago,  the  business  took  a  sudden  jump  and  began  to  increase  rapidly.  How  this 
combination  of  enterprising  young  men  with  the  head  of  so  old  and  well  estab- 
lished an  house  works  may  be  inferred  from  the  statement  that  the  business  has 
increased  fully  100  per  cent,  since  the  firm  of  Hawkins,  Todd  &  Co.  was  organ- 
ized. A  new  life  has  been  infused  into  it,  and  the  stock  of  British,  French,  Ger- 


\1S 

man  and  American  Fancy  and  Staple  Dry  Goods  which  had  been  allowed  to 
run  down  in  anticipation  of  closing  out,  has  not  only  been  newly  filled  in  but 
largely  added  to,  and  a  larger  or  more  elegant  stock  of  these  goods  cannot  now 
be  found  in  Ithaca.  A  new  departure  made  by  the  firm  since  its  reorganization, 
and  one  that  is  appreciated  by  their  customers,  is  merchant  tailoring.  A  full 
line  of  cloths  has  always  been  carried,  but  in  compliance  with  the  request  of  a 
large  number  of  Messrs.  Todd  and  Rounseville's  friends  the  firm  undertook  to 
"make  up"  these  cloths,  and  the  consequence  is  that  a  first  class  cutter  and  seve- 
ral men  and  women  are  now  given  employment  in  this  branch  of  the  business. 
And  it  might  here  be  parenthetically  mentioned  that  Ithaca  and  Oswego  are  the 
only  places  known  where  the  dry  goods  and  merchant  tailoring  business  are  com- 
bined, but  it  is  claimed  that  Hawkins,  Todd  &  Co.  make  gentlemen's  clothing  to 
order  at  one  third  less  than  suits  of  the  same  quality  and  workmanship  cost  in 
New  York.  Their  large  storeroom,  20  feet  wide  and  90  feet  deep, in  which  seven 
people  are  constantly  employed,  is  a  representative  mercantile  establishment, 
and  there  can  be  no  doubt  but  that  the  success  which  has  marked  the  beginning 
of  Hawkins,  Todd  &  Go's,  career  as  a  firm  will  prove  to  have  been  only  a  har- 
binger of  greater  successes  to  come,  and  which  will  eclipse  all  previous  efforts 
made  to  please  and  attract  the  public  in  this  old  and  well  known  storeroom. 

ITHfiCfl  MANUFACTURING  WORKS. 

As  a  centre  for  both  manufacture  and  commerce  Ithaca  certainly  presents 
advantages  that  cannot  be  ignored  by  those  seeking  a  suitable  or  desirable  loca- 
tion for  almost  any  branch  of  business,  and  the  establishment  of  new  enterprises 
in  greater  number  within  the  past  few  years  is  evidence  that  this  fact  is  becom- 
ing recognized.  Indeed,  the  extent  and  diversity  of  its  manufacturing  and  com- 
cial  interests,  as  shown  in  these  pages,  will  doubtless  surprise  many  residents 
of  the  village.  A  new  era  of  prosperity  seems  to  have  set  in.  The  success  of 
the  newer  industries  has  been  uniformly  satisfactory,  while  the  older  industries, 
and  those  whose  earlier  years  were  fraught  with  much  labor  and  little  profit — 
with  failure  to  realize  the  sanguine  expectations  of  the  promoters  of  the  enter- 
prise, have  apparently  begun  an  era  of  prosperity  that  is  no  more  pleasing  to 
their  stockholders  or  owners  than  to  the  citizens  at  large,  who  see  in  their  ad- 
vancement and  prosperity  a  corresponding  increase  in  the  advancement  and 
prosperity  of  Ithaca.  Among  the  latter  class  may  be  mentioned  the  Ithaca  Man- 
ufacturing Works,  and  the  fact  that  the  capital  employed  in  this  concern  is  own- 
ed away  from  home,  makes  no  less  satisfactory  the  later  success  of  this  estab- 
lishment, which  under  the  name  of  Ithaca  Agricultural  Works,  after  a  season  of 
apparent  prosperity,  followed  by  failure  and  foreclosure,  was  succeeded  by  the 
Ithaca  Manufacturing  Works,  has  become  a  prosperous  institution  and  is  now 
profitably  conducted.  The  Ithaca  Agricultural  Works  were  established  on  a 
small  scale  in  1867  for  the  manufacture  of  agricultural  implements,  principally 
a  patent  hay  rake  and  a  seeder,  and  so  much  confidence  was  felt  in  their  merits 
that  a  company  was  formed  and  incorporated  under  this  title  to  increase  manu- 
facturing and  extend  the  business.  The  business  did  increase  rapidly.  Within 
four  years  a  cluster  of  buildings  on  the  bluff  on  the  south  side  of  Fall  Creek  had 


\iS 

been  erected,  large  numbers  of  these  agricultural  implements  were  annually  pro- 
duced and  the  company  was  apparently  in  the  most  prosperous  condition.  But 
the  plan  adopted  in  putting  the  product  of  the  works  on  the  market  was  not  a 
proper  one,  and  although  apparently  prosperous  the  works  were  constantly  losing 
money.  A  natural  culmination  of  this  state  of  affairs  was  failure — the  mortgages 
on  the  property  were  foreclosed  and  in  1879  tne  Ithaca  Agricultural  Works  ceased 
to  do  business.  The  establishment  was  bought  in  by  Mr.  J.  W.  Hollenback,  a 
wealthy  coal  land  owner  of  WilkesBarre,  Pa  ,  and  the  holder  of  the  mortgages. 
He  sent  an  experienced  man  of  business,  Mr.  J.  E.  Patterson,  also  of  Wilkes- 
Barre, here  to  take  charge  of  the  works  and  continue  the  business.  The  title 
was  now  changed  to  the  Ithaca  Manufacturing  Works,  a  new  system  was  inaugu- 
rated and  this  industry  has  finally  become  a  paying  institution.  The  business 
has  increased  about  25  per  cent  each  year  since  1880  and  the  prospects  are  de- 
cidedly favorable  for  a  steady-  prosperous  business  henceforth.  Since  October, 
1881,  the  works  have  been  managed  by  Messrs.  P.  H  Pursel  and  J.  A.  Morti- 
more,  but  Mr.  Pursel  has  lately  been  entrusted  with  the  sole  management  of  the 
concern  and  there  need  be  no  fear  that  the  future  of  the  industr}'  will  be  any  the 
less  bright  for  being  placed  in  his  hands.  Indeed,  the  Ithaca  Manufacturing 
Works,  with  proper  management  could  not  fail  to  prove  successful,  for  in  loca- 
tion, facilities,  &c.,  they  possess  every  requisite  to  success.  The  location  on 
Fall  Creek  bluff,  with  the  great  water  power  furnished  by  Ithaca  Fall  dam,  is  an 
exceptionally  good  one,  while  the  buildings  and  plant  are  equal  to  the  demands  of 
a  much  greater  production.  The  office  and  wareroom,  No.  51  Lake  street,  occu- 
py a  two-story  brick  structure,  30x100  feet  in  dimensions  ;  the  paint  shop  is  a 
two  story  frame  building,  30x60  feet ;  the  wood-working  department  is  also  a 
two  story  frame  building,  42x65  feet  ;  the  blacksmith  shop  is  28x30  feet  ;  and 
the  foundry,  which  is  across  Tunnel  Creek,  and  connected  with  the  other  build- 
ings by  a  bridge  117  feet  in  length,  is  30x60  feet  in  dimensions.  These  build- 
ings, as  well  as  a  number  of  smaller  ones  and  sheds,  are  all  connected  by  a 
system  of  narrow-gauge  railway,  and  are  thoroughly  equipped  with  every  neces- 
sary tool  and  labor-saving  invention  for  facilitating  the  rapid  production  of  the 
specialities  manufactured — the  Leader  Hay  Rake  and  the  Improved  Tompkins 
County  Cultivator.  A  working  force  of  from  20  to  30  people  are  employed  and 
about  2,000  rakes  and  2,000  culttvators  are  now  produced  annually.  The  trade 
is  largely  in  this  State,  but  the  demand  for  the  rakes  and  cultivators  also  extends 
throughout  the  entire  United  States.  Both  the  Leader  Hay  Rake  and  the  Tomp- 
kins County  Cultivator  are  acknowledged  as  being  the  most  improved  imple- 
ments for  their  respective  purposes  manufactured,  and  the  patents  are  owned  by 
the  Ithaca  Manufacturing  Works.  It  is  said  that  no  testimonials  are  required  to 
sell  them,  their  points  of  superiority  being  recognized  by  every  intelligent  farm- 
er, and  consequently  there  is  little  likelihood  of  the  industry  becoming  of  less, 
but  every  probability  of  its  becoming  of  still  greater  value  to  Ithaca.  The  pres- 
ent manager,  Mr.  P.  H.  Pursel, has  been  connected  with  the  works  in  various  ca- 
pacities since  Mr.  Hollenback  took  possession  in  1879,  and  is  well-fitted  for  the 
position  both  by  the  reason  of  the  experience  thus  gained  and  his  previous  busi- 
ness experience.  He  is  a  native  of  Columbia  County,  Pa.,  but  for  a  number  of 


\1S 


years  before  coming  to  Ithaca  was  a  trusted  employe  of  the  Miners'  Savings 
Bank  and  other  prominent  establisments  in  WilkesBarre,  Pa.,  and  it  is  confi- 
dently asserted  that  under  his  management  the  Ithaca  Manufacturing  Works 
will  not  only  retain  the  position  it  has  so  lately  gained,  but  advance  still  farther 
and  ultimately  become  what  it  was  so  fondly  hoped  in  its  earlier  years  it  would 
become — one  of  the  largest  industries  in  Ithaca. 

URI  CLSRK. 

The  name  which  heads  this  sketch  is  that  of  one  of  the  successful  self-made 
business  men  of  Ithaca.  Thirty-one  years  ago,  as  a  young  boy  Uri  Clark  entered 
the  old  established  jewelry  store  of  Joseph  Burritt,  to  learn  the  trade.  As  an  ap- 
prentice and  expert  jeweler  the  young  man  remained  in  Mr.  Burritt's  employ  for 
twelve  years.  In  1864  he  became  a  part  owner  in  the  business  under  the  firm 
name  of  Burritt,  Clark  &  Co.  A  year  later  he  disposed  of  his  interest  in  the 
business  to  enter  the  service  of  Uncle  Sam,  as  first  lieutenant  of  Co.  L.  of  the 
58th  N.  Y.  S.  V.  The  war  fortunately  coming  to  a  close  three  months  later,  his 
company  came  back  from  Elmira  where  it  had  been  stationed.  Then  he  again  en- 
tered the  jewelry  bnsiness  and  has  since  uninterruptedly  pursued  it  with  large 
success.  From  a 'store  on  East  State  street,  which  Mr.  Clark  opened  on  return- 
ing from  Elmira,  in  1867,  he  removed  to  the  Krum  building  at  the  corner  of  State 
and  Tioga  streets.  At  this  stand,  where  he  remained  for  thirteen  years,  Mr.  Clark 
was  successful  in  building  up  a  very  large  trade.  During  these  successful  and 
prosperous  years  Mr.  Clark  gave  to  his  work  the  closest  and  most  unremitting  at- 
tention, and  was  repaid  by  large  commercial  prosperity.  In  1880  he  purchased 
and  greatly  improved  the  building  at  36  East  State  street.  The  store  was  hand- 
somely remodeled,  provided  with  a  fine  plate  glass  front,  and  marble  floor,  and  in 
all  respects  admirably  appointed  for  the  purpose  of  a  jewelery  store.  Since  Mr. 
Clark's  occupancy  of  his  present  handsome  store  he  has  not,  it  is  true,  given 
to  business  his  whole  time  and  energies  as  was  the  case  in  earlier  years. 
Relaxation  from  the  incessant  cares  and  wearing  work  of  former  years  have  been 
obtained  in  the  pleasure  of  yachting  and  residence  on  the  shores  of  the  beautiful 
lake  near  at  hand,  Mr.  Clark  having  several  years  ago  purchased  a  fine  steam 
yacht,  and  caused  to  be  erected  on  the  west  shore  of  Cayuga,  a  charming  summer 
cottage.  But  nevertheless  under  his  experienced  personal  supervision,  his  store 
has  continued  to  enjoy  its  high  standing,  and  a  fair  proportion  of  the  best  class  of 
patronage.  Mr.  Clark  is  known  as  one  of  the  most  expert  lapidaries  in  the  trade 
in  this  portion  of  the  State,  and  in  his  cases  are  to  be  found  many  beautiful  and 
costly  gems  in  rare  and  attractive  settings.  A  large  line  of  optical  goods  is  kept 
on  hand,  and  glasses  are  selected  for  all  kinds  of  impaired  vision  with  the  utmost 
care  and  precision.  In  addition  to  a  full  and  complete  line  of  goods  properly  be- 
longing to  the  business,  Mr.  Clark's  store  contains  a  splendid  stock  of  sporting 
goods,  including  fine  rifles,  shot  guns,  shells  and  reloading  apparatus,  ammuni- 
tion, game  bags,  fine  fishing  rods,  tackle,  flies  and  all  articles  of  the  kind.  Along 
with  his  success  in  business  matters,  Mr.  Clark  has  also  gained  a  reputation  for 
uprightness  and  integrity  which  is  known  to  all.  He  has  been  the  firm  friend  of 
all  movements  looking  to  the  commercial  improvement  of  the  place,  the  increas- 
ing of  its  educational  advantages,  and  upholding  of  the  good  order  and  moral 


well  being  of  the  community.  As  explaining  a  title  by  which  Mr.  Clark  is  gen- 
erally known  to  his  friends  and  neighbors,  it  may  be  said  that  while  connected 
with  the  recently  disbanded  soth  Battalion,  he  was  made  a  Colonel  on  the  staff  of 
General  Blood,  commanding  the  28th  Brigade.  To  conclude  this  little  sketch  it 
is  only  fitting  to  say  that  the  career  of  Col.  Clark,  who  is  in  the  very  prime  of  life, 
with  business  success  attained  and  enjoying  in  a  high  degree  the  respect  and  good 
will  of  his  neighbors  and  fellow-townsmen,  forms  a  striking  illustration  of  the  oft 
quoted  and  much  doubted,  yet  still  perfectly  true,  saying,  that  industry  and  hon- 
esty will  surely  bring  success. 

ITMSCa  GUN  WORKS. 

A  new  industry  just  started,  and  one  which  must  prove  of  the  greatest  value 
to  Ithaca,  is  the  manufacture  of  breech-loading  shot  guns  for  sportsmen.  The 
fact  that  between  170,000  and  2OO,oooguns  are  annually  imported  into  the  United 
States  is  of  itself  sufficient  reason  why  such  an  industry  should  be  started  with 
bright  hopes  of  success,  but  when  that  industry  begins  by  producing  a  gun  in 
every  way  the  equal  of  the  best  sportsmen's  fowling-piece  manufactured,  and  at 
one-third  less  the  cost,  then  hopes  of  success  turn  into  certainty  of  success.  And 
such  may  be  said  to  be  the  prospects  of  the  Ithaca  Gun  Works,  which  have  just 
been  put  in  operation.  The  price  of  a  Parker  and  other  first  class  breech-load, 
ing  shot  guns  has  always  been  an  insurmountable  objection  to  their  purchase 
by  a  great  number  of  sportsmen.  As  a  gunsmith  and  inventor  of  high  ability, 
W.  H.  Baker  attained  a  wide  reputation  a  few  years  since  for  the  invention  of 
the  now  celebrated  Baker  double  and  three  barrel  guns.  While  engaged  in  per- 
fecting this  gun  he  conceived  the  idea  of  producing  a  gun  which,  while^possess- 
ing  the  very  best  shooting  qualities,  and  being  the  equal  in  every  respect  of  the 
Parker  and  other  choice  guns,  from  the  simplicity  of  its  mechanism  could  be 
manufactured  and  sold  at  much  less  than  could  other  guns  of  the  same  quality. 
He  worked  on  this  idea  until  he  had  perfected  a  gun  that  not  only  convinced 
him  of  the  correctness  of  his  original  ideas,  but  that  it  could  command  a.^  large 
share  of  the  patronage  now  going  to  importers  of  the  guns  made  in  Europe  as 
well  as  occupy  the  same  position  in  the  eyes  of  sportsmen  as  the  Parker,  while 
it  could  be  sold  at  one-third  less.  Messrs.  D.  Mclntyre  and  J.  E.  VanNatta,  of 
Ithaca,  were  then  interested  in  this  new  invention,  and  as  a  result  the  gun  was 
patented  and  last  February  a  copartnership  was  formed  between  Messrs.  Baker 
Mclntyre  and  VanNatta  to  manufacture  under  the  title  of  the  Ithaca  Gun  Works. 
Early  in  the  present  year  the  property  at  Fall  Creek  lately  occupied  by  the  bend- 
ing works  was  purchased  and  during  the  entire  summer  work  has  been  progress- 
ing on  the  special  machinery  required  to  make  the  plant  complete.  The  buildings 
being  properly  fitted  up,  manufacturing  was  lately  begun  and  the  Ithaca  Gun 
Works  now  have  a  plant  with  a  capacity  for  producing  ten  guns  per  day.  In  se- 
curing this  location  for  their  works  they  have  been  very  fortunate.  The  power 
furnished  by  Fall  Creek  is  sufficient  for  a  factory  three  times  as  large,  and  as 
they  own  both  the  sixth  and  seventh  water  privileges  on  the  creek,  the  former  af- 
fording 40  and  the  latter  6o-horse  power,  they  are  prepared  for  any  emergency. 
The  main  building  of  the  works  is  40x50  feet  in  dimensions,  two  stories,  with  an 
L  30x40  feet.  There  are  also  a  forge  shop  20x30  feet,  and  other  necessary  build- 


HS 

ings.  Both  the  main  building  and  forge  shop  are  equipped  with  the  most  im- 
proved tools,  and  most  of  the  machinery  in  the  works  is  of  a  special  character 
and  has  been  made  on  the  premises.  With  this  new  and  complete  plant  the  Ith- 
aca Gun  Works  are  enabled  to  produce  a  gun  that  must  take  the  same  place  in 
sportsmen's  favor  as  the  Parker;  and  at  the  same  time  cost  about  one-third  less. 
The  "Ithaca"  gun,  for  that  is  the  name  of  the  new  invention,  contains  all  the 
standard  points  called  for  in  a  gun  of  the  first  quality,  such  as  the  Stop  Lever  Ac- 
tion, Rebounding  Lock,  Low  Hammers,  and  Patent  Compensating  Fore-end, 
but  there  are  less  than  half  the  parts  in  its  mechanism  than  are  usually  employ- 
ed to  produce  the  same  results.  These  few  parts  are  all  contained  in  the  breech- 
piece,  which  is  one  solid  piece  of  wrought  iron,  and  all  the  parts,  too,  are  made 
perfectly  interchangeable.  The  simplicity  of  construction  is  a  feature  that  will 
be  appreciated  by  every  sportsmen,  while  the  style  and  finish  of  the  "Ithaca" 
gun  is  equal  to  the  Parker,  Colt.Peiper  or  any  other  first-class  gun — in  fact,  it  is 
claimed  to  be  the  simplest  and  best  gun  manufactured  in  the  world.  Being  an 
entirely  new  model,  and  possessing'points  of  merit  that  are  readily  perceived  by 
the  sportsman  or  gundealer,  and  withal  being  sold  at  one-third  the  price  charged 
for  other  first-class  guns,  great  popularity  may  be  anticipated  for  the  new  "Itha- 
ca." Mr.  W.  H.  Baker,  the  inventor, personally  superintends  their  manufacture, 
and  his  large  experience  as  a  gunsmith  and  reputation  as  an  inventor,  will  be  a 
sufficient  guarantee  of  the  quality  and  workmanship  that  may  be  expected.  Both 
the  other  members  of  the  firm,  Messrs.  D.  Mclntyre  and  J.  E.  VanNatta,  are 
practical  men  and  inventors  in  their  lines  of  business,  and  the  management  of 
the  new  concern  will  doubtless  be  characterized  by  a  wise  policy  that  will  make 
their  auspicious  beginning  only  a  forerunner  of  the  great  success  to  follow. 

THE  WEST  END  DRUG  STORE. 

A  host  of  interesting  associations  and  recollections  cluster  around  the  record 
of  this,  the  oldest  existing  drug  house  in  Ithaca,  and,  in  fact,  with  but  a  single 
exception,  the  earliest  established  drug  business  in  the  community.  As  nearly  as 
can  be  ascertained  the  first  drug  business  established  here  w#s  that  of  Mr.  Mil- 
ler, who  had  a  small  store  on  the  site  of  the  present  Sprague  Block.  This  busi- 
ness was  begun  very  early  in  the  century.  In  the  employ  of  Mr.  Miller  was  B. 
S.  Halsey,  now  living  and  over  eighty  years  of  age.  Mr.  Halsey  was  the  found- 
er of  the  West  End  Drug  Store.  The  building  at  6  East  State  street,  which 
continually  for  51  years  has  been  occupied  for  a  drug  store,  was  built  about  1822 
by  Horace  Mack,  and  occupied  by  him  until  1832  as  a  dry  goods  store.  It  was 
then  taken  possession  of  by  B.S.  Halsey  and  fitted  up  as  a  drug  store.  During  the 
more  than  half  a  century  since  the  business  was  established  by  Mr.  Halsey,  it 
has  had  a  career  full  of  incident  and  change.  It  has  passed  successively  through 
the  hands  of  eleven  firms  and  individual  owners.  Sometimes  the  volume  of 
trade  enjoyed  was  large,  and  at  others  it  was  much  reduced,  but  in  spite 
of  all  the  vicissitudes  of  its  extended  history,  it  has  attained  a  vigorous  and  hon- 
ourable old  age.  Following  Mr.  Halsey,  in  the  order  of  their  proprietorship  came 
Dr.  Webster,  P.  C.  Schuyler,  G.  W.  Schuyler,  Dr.  A.  H.  Monell,  William  Mo- 
nell,  Monell  &  Lawrence,  J.  Y.  Lawrence,  Tolfree  &  Mandeville,  W.  S.  Mande 
rille, H.I. Smith, and  lastly  the  present  owners,  Haskin  &  Todd,  Although  the  busi- 


ness  of  the  West  End  Drug  Store  has  been  at  times  in  the  hands  of  very  capable 
and  enterprising  men,  as  will  appear  from  the  names  which  have  been  mention- 
ed, and  by  some  of  them  has  been  made  the  source  of  much  business  promi- 
nence and  commercial  prosperity,  still  it  has  perhaps  become  better  known,  and 
is  accorded  a  more  extensive  patronage  under  its  present  proprietors  than  at  any 
previous  period  of  its  long  career.  Something  over  two  years  ago,  the  business 
was  purchased  of  H.  I.  Smith  by  Hiram  L.  Haskin  and  Judson  B.  Todd.  Both 
of  these  young  men  entered  upon  the  business  with  a  practical  knowledge  of  it, 
acquired  in  the  employment  of  a  well-known  drug  firm  of  this  village.  Added  to 
their  practical  acquaintance  with  the  business,  they  possessed  unusual  energy, 
sagacity  and  a  strong  determination  to  win  success.  Their  efforts  have  met  with 
generous  appreciation  at  the  hands  of  the  public,  and  to-day  the  West  End  drug 
store  occupies  a  leading  position  not  only  in  its  especial  line  in  this  county,  but 
ranks  well  up  among  the  most  successful  retail  business  enterprises  generally  of 
this  vicinity.  During  the  two  years'  proprietorship  of  Messrs.  Haskin  &  Todd, 
the  stock  has  been  very  largely  added  to,  and  improved,  the  exterior  and  interior 
of  the  building  have  been  materially  altered  for  the  better,  and  the  firm  has  won 
a  host  of  friends  by  its  liberality  and  enterprise,  as  well  as  an  enviable  reputation 
for  thorough  reliability,  and  sound  commercial  credit,  both  at  home  and  among 
wholesale  dealers  and  manufacturers.  For  two  years  Haskin  &  Todd  alone,  of  the 
several  drug  firms  of  Ithaca,  made  very  fine  displays  at  the  large  fair  of  the  Coun 
ty  Agricultural  Society,  their  exhibit  at  the  fair  this  season  proving  by  far  one 
of  the  most  attractive  features  of  Floral  Hall,  and  arousing  the  warm  admiration 
of  the  thousands  visiting  the  exhibition. 

The  store  is  a  very  attractive  one,  containing  a  large  and  expensive  soda- 
fountain,  unusually  large  and  handsome  show  cases,  and  fine  fittings  generally. 
With  an  excellent  stand,  a  large  and  varied  stock,  a  wide  and  rapidly  growing 
business  acquaintance  and  personal  popularity,  possessing  ample  means,  un- 
doubted credit,  and  an  unswerving  determination  to  retain  and  augment  their 
fine  trade  by  close  attention  to  the  wants  of  the  public,  and  equal  promptness  in 
measures  to  meet  them,  and  last,  but  not  at  all  least,  a  full  knowledge  of  the 
efficacy  of  the  value  of  printer's  ink  properly  applied,  the  young  proprietors  of 
the  West  End  Drug  Store  can  confidently  look  forward  to  a  successful  business 
career. 

.    J1CKSON  &  BUSH. 

Within  the  last  five  years  a  great  change  has  taken  place  in  the  dry  goods  trade 
in  Ithaca.  Previous  to  1878  it  was  customary  for  the  ladies  desiring  the  finer 
qualities  of  dress  goods  to  go  to  the  larger  cities  to  make  their  selections.  Now 
there  are  to  be  found  here  as  fine  lines  of  these  goods  as  can  be  purchased  any- 
where. What  has  worked  this  revolution,  do  you  ask?  Competition,  forced  by 
example.  Five  years  ago  a  new  firm  came  into  Ithaca.  They  secured  one  of  the 
finest  store  rooms  in  the  place  and  opened  a  stock  of  the  finer  qualities  of  goods. 
Not  only  this,  but  the  system  of  strictly  one  price  was  adopted  and  particular  at- 
tention was  paid  to  the  comfort  and  convenience  of  their  customers.  As  a  result 
their  store  became  the  centre  of  attraction  for  lady  shoppers,  and  their  competi- 
tors were  forced  to  sort  up  their  stocks  and  also  carry  a  finer  line  of  goods.  And 


MS 

they  and  their  customers  have  been  benefited  thereby.  The  firm  that  may  be 
credited  with  bringing  about  this  desirable  change  is  Jackson  &  Bush,  whose 
handsome  store-room,  at  No  53  East  State  street,  is  the  favorite  shopping  place  of 
the  ladies  in  Tompkins  County.  With  ten  years'  experience  as  a  firm  in  the  dry 
goods  trade  at  Niagara  Falls,  they  came  to  Ithaca  in  1878,  and  immediately  took 
the  lead  in  their  particular  branch  of  business.  They  forced  a  competition  from 
which  the  people  derived  the  greatest  benefit,  and  their  reward  has  been  in  accord 
with  their  merits.  Twice  have  they  been  compelled  to  enlarge  their  store,  and 
their  business  has  fully  tripled  in  these  five  years.  Now  they  have  the  largest 
and  finest  dry  goods  salesroom  in  the  village,  and  one  too,  that  would  do  credit 
to  the  largest  cities.  It  is  25  feet  wide  and  120  feet  deep,  with  high  ceiling,  and 
well  lighted  by  side  windows  and  skylights.  The  room  is  heated  by  steam  fur- 
nished by  a  self-regulating  boiler  situated  in  the  basement,  and  everything  that 
can  add  to  the  comfort  and  convenience  of  the  patrons  has  been  furnished.  Par- 
ticularly is  this  noticeable  in  the  arrangement  of  the  rear  portion  of  the  store, 
which  has  been  tastily  carpeted  and  fitted  up  for  the  display  of  silks  and  ladies 
wraps,  a  specialty  of  the  house.  A  ladies'  toiu  t  room  is  among  the  other  conven- 
iences that  are  here  noticeable.  The  stock  is  judiciously  arranged  in  departments  ; 
here  notions,  there  domestic  dry  goods  ;  foreign  dress  goods  of  the  finest  quality, 
ladies'  furnishings,  gents'  furnishings,  ladies'  wraps,  etc..  all  having  their  particu- 
lar place  and  presenting  as  fine  a  display  as  one  would  expect  to  see  in  the  ba- 
zaars of  the  East,  of  which  such  attractive  descriptions  have  been  written.  The 
entire  basement  is  occupied  for  the  storage  of  duplicate  stock,  and  the  visitor  is 
impressed  with  the  fact  that  henceforth  it  is  unnecessary  to  make  expensive  trips 
to  distant  cities  for  the  purpose  of  purchasing  the  finer  qualities  of  goods.  As  in 
the  other  dry  goods  houses,  here,  too,  the  making  of  gentlemen's  clothing  to  or- 
der is  one  of  the  specialties,  and  it  may  well  be  said  that  a  more  elegant  stock  of 
suitings  and  trimmings  cannot  be  found  in  any  store  in  the  State.  And  as  of 
gentlemen's  suitings,  so  it  may  be  said  of  ladies'  wear-  from  the  cheapest  to  the 
very  finest  qualities  of  goods  manufactured  are  presented  for  the  inspection  and 
selection  of  the  visitor.  Ten  people  are  employed  in  the  house,  and  in  securing 
their  assistants  the  firm  have  been  extremely  fortunate — in  securing  people  who 
take  so  great  an  interest  in  the  success  of  their  house  and  who  are  so  successful 
in  pleasing  the  patrons  of  the  establishment.  In  a  word,  here  is  a  model  dry 
goods  store  and  one  which  cannot  be  otherwise  than  successful.  Jackson  &  Bush 
have  proven  their  ability  to  conduct  profitably  a  first  class  establishment  in  this 
place,  and  their  success  has  been  the  means  of  conferring  many  benefits  upon  the 
residents  of  Ithaca  and  this  vicinity. 

THE  CLINTON  HOUSE. 

The  most  popular  hotel  in  Ithaca,  the  Clinton  House  has  a  history  which, 
could  it  be  fully  presented,  would  prove  one  of  the  most  interesting  parts  of  this 
little  book.  The  building  was  erected  between  the  years  1828  and  1831,  but  it 
still  remains — with  its  massive  columns  supporting  the  broad  porticos,  the  propor- 
tioned rise  of  the  whole  building,  the  belvidere  crowning  all — the  most  imposing 
and  dignified  building  in  all  this  beautiful  plain.  It  was  built  by  Henry  Ackley, 


US 


Henry  Hibbard  and  J.  S.  Beebe,  and  originally  cost  only  $22,000— the  builder  of 
to  day,  however,  would  look  with  scorn  upon  an  offer  to  erect  such  a  building  for 
this  sum.  In  1862  many  internal  and  a  few  external  modifications  were  made,  but 
the  reputation  of  the  house  has  never  changed.  From  its  opening  day  down  to  the 
present  time  it  has  enjoyed  the  repute  of  being  one  of  the  best  first-class  hotels 
in  the  State.  "The  record  of  the  house  includes  statesmen  and  jurists  and  the 
travelers  of  celebrity  who  have  traversed  the  regions  of  Cayuga.  From  the  ven- 
erable Surveyor-General  DeWitt  (the  friend  and  correspondent  of  Washington), 
who  watched  its  building  with  so  much  hope  of  its  success,  its  register  has  been 
graced  by  thousands  of  names,  good  and  true,  not  the  least  interesting  page  in 
which  is  that  which  records  the  signatures  of  the  principal  diplomats  accredited 
to  our  government  who  in  1863  accompanied  Mr.  Seward,  the  Secretary  of  State, 
on  a  tour  through  this  country.'1  This  was  in  the  long  ago,  but  the  time  interven- 
ing has  only  been  a  repetition  of  the  story.  Hotel-keeping  has  been  the  main 
occupation  of  the  life  of  its  proprietor — Sewall  D.  Thompson — and  the  thirty- 
three  years  he  has  presided  over  the  Clinton  House  have  served  to  establish  his 
reputation  as  a  model  "Boniface".  He  was  born  in  the  town  of  Hubbardston, 
Mass.,  in  1809  and  embarked  in  this  avocation  at  the  age  of  twenty- three  by  keep- 
ing a  hotel  at  Athol,  Mass.,  which  he  continued  until  1837.  After  a  brief  stay  in 
New  York  City  he  then  came  to  Ithaca  in  the  spring  of  1838,  and  leased  the  Ithaca 
Hotel,  which  he  managed  until  the  fall  of  1846.  He  then  spent  four  years  in 
mercantile  pursuits  in  New  York  City  and  in  1850  returned  to  Ithaca  and  leased 
the  Clinton  House  for  a  term  of  fifteen  years,  before  the  expiration  of  which,  how- 
ever, he  purchased  of  Miss  Beebe,  a  daughter  of  J.  S.  Beebe,  one  of  the  three 


MS 

owners,  a  third  interest  in  the  hotel  property.  In  1864  Ezra  Cornell  purchased 
the  remaining  two-thirds,  and  thorough  repairs  were  then  made,  the  hotel  being 
closed  for  a  year  while  the  alterations  and  improvements  were  in  progress.  In 
1865  the  house  was  again  opened  under  Mr.  Thompson's  management  and  con- 
ducted with  great  success  ever  since.  He  subsequently  became  sole  owner,  and 
his  management  of  this  hotel  alone  now  counts  up  thirty-three  years.  He  is  one 
of  the  oldest  hotel-keepers  in  the  country,  being  now  in  his  seventy-fourth  year, 
but  he  is  still  hale  and  hearty  and  more  active  than  most  men  at  fifty.  Mr.  Thomp 
son  is  now  ably  assisted  in  the  management  by  his  adopted  son,  Sewall  D.  Thomp- 
son, Jr.,  and  it  is  not  at  all  likely  that  the  characteristics  of  the  Clinton  House — 
its  home-like,  comfortable  qualities  and  the  excellence  of  its  cuisine — will  ever  be 
lost,  for  it  is  probable  that  it  will  remain  under  the  control  of  a  Thompson  for 
many  years  to  come,  and  that  will  be  a  sufficient  guarantee  of  its  general  excel- 
lence and  character. 

H.  V.  BOSTWICK. 

The  extensive  cooperage  business  of  Hermon  V.  Bostwick,  whose  works 
are  located  on  Clinton  street,  a  short  distance  east  of  Cayuga  street,  is  the  only 
concern  of  its  kind  in  Ithaca.  The  business  was  established  originally  in  1867. 
In  the  spring  of  1873  the  factory  was  destroyed  by  fire.  Rallying  quickly  from 
this  misfortune,  Mr.  Bostwick  caused  the  shops  to  be  rebuilt  on  a  larger  scale 
and  by  virtue  of  his  energy  and  persistence  has  succeeded  in  building  up  a  large 
trade.  Twenty-five  employes  find  occupation  at  these  works  and  from  one  to 
two  thousand  cords  of  wood  are  worked  up  each  year.  The  products  of  the  fac- 
tory include  barrels,  firkins  and  general  cooperage.  The  quality  of  these  wares 
is  widel}'  known  and  admitted  throughout  this  section  of  the  state  and  their  sale 
reaches  into  every  town  of  Tompkins  county  and  several  surrounding  counties 
as  well.  In  the  manufacturing  resources  of  the  place  the  cooperage  works  of 
Mr.  Bostwick  occupy  an  important  standing  on  account  of  their  extent  and  the 
superiority  of  the  products  of  his  factory. 

GEORGE  SMALL 

Another  illustration  of  success  won  by  indomitable  pluck  and  energy  is  fur- 
nished by  the  subject  of  this  brief  sketch.  George  Small  came  from  England 
to  this  country  when  quite  a  young  boy  and  settled  in  Ithaca.  By  dint  of  hard 
work  he  secured  for  himself  the  advantages  of  a  good  education,  and  overcom- 
ing obstacles  that  had  proved  too  great  for  many  a  man,  advanced  step  by  step 
until  he  was  able  in  1876  to  purchase  the  lumber  business  at  the  corner  of  Tioga 
and  Green  streets  which  had  been  established  in  1871  by  Howell  &  VanHouter. 
The  business  had  changed  hands  several  times  before  he  purchased  it,  but  un- 
der his  management  increased  largely  and  became  profitable.  In  1881  he  erected 
the  three  story  brick  building  63x48  in  dimensions  on  the  southwest  corner  of 
Tioga  and  Green  streets,  and  put  in  machinery  for  matching  and  planing  the 
lumber  he  sold.  He  now  handles  annually  about  3,000,000  feet  of  lumber  and 
gives  employment  to  10  or  12  men  constantly.  Two  spacious  lumber  yards  are 
owned  by  him,  the  one  on  the  east  side  of  Tioga  street  being  200x100  feet  in  di- 
mensions and  the  other  on  the  west  side,  being  132x160  feet.  He  has  a  large 


HS   RtSOttftCLS.  ^ 

local  retail  trade  and  is  doing  a  prosperous  business.  It  is  not  with  the  intention 
of  flattering  Mr.  Small,  who  is  still  quite  a  young  man,  that  mention  has  thus 
briefly  been  made  of  the  circumstances  attending  his  rise  by  his  own  exertions  to 
the  honorable  position  he  now  occupies  in  this  community,  but  as  such  examples 
not  infrequently  give  courage  to  young  men  who  are  struggling  along  and  now 
and  then  meeting  with  obstacles  seemingly  insurmountable  and  which  almost  crush 
out  their  ambition,  it  is  thought  that  such  facts  come  within  the  province  of  a  work 
of  this  character,  and  they  are  accordingly  noted  with  the  hope  that  they  will 
serve  the  purpose  contemplated. 

R.  B.  ¥OOD. 

Among  many  other  ways  in  which  the  existence  of  Cornell  University  in 
Ithaca  has  favorably  affected  the  community,  it  has  by  virtue  of  its  excellently 
conducted  department  of  architecture  given  to  the  place  several  devotees  to  this 
line  of  effort,  whose  good  taste  and  skillful  training  have  been  the  means  of  de- 
veloping better  ideas  among  master-builders,  artisans  and  the  people  of  this  vil- 
lage and  vicinity  generally  in  regard  to  the  building  of  houses,  business  places 
and  public  structures.  The  many  attractive  residences  erected  here  in  later  years, 
the  considerable  improvement  in  appearance  of  many  of  the  village  stores,  and 
the  much  better  taste  shown  even  in  the  building  of  the  commoner  houses,  suf- 
ficiently attest  the  truth  of  this  statement.  The  gentleman  whose  name  appears 
at  the  head  of  this  article  is  among  those  who  are  to  be  credited  with  good  service 
in  this  work.  A.  B.  Wood,  after  devoting  himself  for  several  years  to  the  study 
of  architecture  and  associated  branches  at  the  University  entered  the  practice 
in  1875.  His  office  was  with  Allen  Gray,  insurance  agent,  in  the  Bates  Block. 
While  building  up  a  patronage  in  his  special  line,  Mr.  Wood  also  found  oppor- 
tunity to  acquaint  himself  with  the  details  of  insurance  underwriting.  In  1880 
he  became  a  partner  ot  Mr.  Gray  in  his  extensive  insurance  business,  and  since 
the  appointment  of  that  gentleman  as  State  agent  for  the  Lorillard  Insurance 
Company,  something  over  a  year  ago,  has  had  full  charge  of  the  local  office.  Mr. 
Wood  has  been  the  architect  of  not  a  few  fine  structures.  Several  admirable  de- 
pot buildings  have  been  erected  for  the  Lehigh  Valley  Railroad  Company,  the 
most  notable  of  which  is  the  recently  completed  depot  at  WilkesBarre,  Pa.  The 
parochial  school  now  building  on  West  Buffalo  street  in  this  village  is  the  de- 
sign of  Mr.  Wood  and  promises  to  reflect  much  credit  upon  the  architect.  A 
number  of  the  attractive  new  houses  of  Ithaca  are  the  "children  of  his  brain," 
the  handsome  house  of  Captain  J.  W.  Tibbetts  on  West  State  street,  being  the 
chief  example  of  Mr.  Wood's  ability  in  this  line  of  architectural  work.  In  the 
elements  of  convenience,  substantiality,  safety,  and  thorough  sanitary  precautions, 
Mr.  Wood's  buildings  are  not  surpassed  by  the  work  of  any  of  his  business  com- 
peers of  this  section  of  the  State.  An  element  of  character  of  this  young  man  is 
thoroughness.  This  appears  in  his  capacity  as  an  underwriter,  as  well  as  in  his 
other  lines  of  effort.  As  a  mark  of  the  confidence  of  his  insurance  associates,  it 
may  be  stated  that  at  the  reorganization  of  a  local  board  in  1881  Mr.  Wood  was 
made  secretary  and  treasurer  of  the  board,  and  was  again  reappointed  to  the  same 
office  at  the  recent  annual  meeting. 


66  nttkcp*  wo  ns 

DR.  F.  S.  HO¥E. 

In  1872,  Dr.  F.  S.  Howe  removed  to  Ithaca  from  the  neighboring  village  of 
Dryden,  where  for  sixteen  years  he  had  been  engaged  in  the  successful  practice 
of  dentistry.  During  the  eleven  years  of  his  residence  in  this  place  Dr.  Howe 
has  greatly  added  to  the  fine  reputation  which  he  early  won,  as  an  unusually 
skillful  operator  in  his  branch  of  professional  work,  and  has  built  up  an  excel- 
lent and  widely  extended  patronage.  The  early  training  of  Dr.  Howe  in  the 
delicate  and  exceedingly  important  branch  of  dental  work  required  in  the  opera- 
tions connected  with  filling,  in  all  its  departments,  was  received  with  Dr.  Benja- 
min Baker,  for  twenty  years  past  a  celebrated  dental  surgeon  of  Chicago,  111., 
who  formerly  conducted  an  office  in  St.  Louis,  Mo.  After  mastering  this  class 
of  operations,  Dr.  Howe  was  for  a  time  with  Dr.  Luman  Matson,  then,  as 
now,  a  successful  dentist  at  Auburn,  who  is  very  proficient  in  the  department  of 
plate  work.  This  thorough  training,  supplementing  many  superior  natural  qual- 
ifications possessed  by  Dr.  Howe,  gave  him  an  easy  road  to  the  confidence  and 
patronage  of  the  public,  when  he  entered  formally  upon  his  professional  career. 
On  first  coming  to  Ithaca,  Dr.  Howe  located  in  an  office  in  the  Andrus  &  Church 
block.  In  1873  he  removed  to  the  fine  quarters  in  the  Bates  block,  which  he  has 
since  continued  to  occupy.  His  patronage  has  rapidly  grown,  and  his  office  has 
come  to  be  widely  known  as  one  of  the  best  equipped  in  all  respects,  and  most 
ably  conducted  dental  establishments  in  this  section  of  the  State.  With  all  the 
care  and  responsibility  of  increasing  business,  Dr.  Howe  has  still  found  time 
and  opportunity  to  keep  up  with  the  rapid  progress  made  in  late  years,  in  the  art 
he  practices.  He  has  made  frequent  trips  to  the  metropolis,  for  special  study  in 
certain  lines  of  work,  in  the  offices  of  the  leading  dental  surgeons,  and  has,  in- 
deed, but  very  recently  returned  from  a  journey  to  New  Yoak,  made  for  this 
purpose.  Therefore  he  is  fully  abreast  of  the  times,  in  his  practical  knowledge 
of  all  the  improved  process  and  apparatus  known  in  the  art  of  dentistry.  All 
classes  of  work,  or  any  particular  kind  of  operation  desired,  can  be  performed 
at  this  establishment,  in  a  scientific  and  satisfactory  manner.  In  the  branch  of 
plate  work,  Dr.  Howe's  office  doubtless  leads  all  rivals  in  this  part  of  the  State. 
Dr.  Howe,  in  addition  to  his  successful  pursuit  of  his  professional  occupation, 
has  had  no  small  success  in  musical  achievement.  He  organized  the  Fiftieth 
Band,  and  was  for  a  time,  its  efficient  leader,  withdrawing  from  its  direction, 
owing  to  a  multiplicity  of  other  engagements.  He  has  been  for  the  past  eleven 
years  the  leader  of  the  Aurora  street  M.  E.  Church  choir,  and  has  had  an  im- 
portant part  in  most  of  the  larger  musical  affairs  of  this  place. 

R.  C.  CHRISTIMCE. 

The  foundations  of  the  fine  business  now  conducted  at  66  and  68  East  State 
street,  by  Ralph  C.  Christiance,  were  laid  in  1846,  when  Cornelius  Christiance, 
father  of  the  present  proprietor,  opened  a  small  retail  boot  and  shoe  store  just 
across  the  street  in  the  store  now  occupied  by  Theodore  Dobrin.  The  business 
prospered  under  the  direction  of  Mr.  Christiance,  who  was  a  careful,  prudent 
man.  In  1861  the  business  was  transferred  to  its  present  quarters,  R.  C.  Chris- 
tiance sometime  previous  to  the  removal  having  become  a  part  owne  r.  At 
the  death  of  Cornelius  Christiance  in  1876,  R.  C.  Christiance  succeed- 


ed  to  the  sole  ownership  of  the  business,  and  has  been  successful  in 
largely  increasing  it  and  adding  to  its  commercial  importance.  In  addi- 
tion to  the  fine  retail  trade  in  boots  and  shoes  and  large  business  in 
fine  custom  work,  a  considerable  retail  and  wholesale  business  in  trunks 
and  satchels,  and  rubber  goods  has  been  built  up.  Eleven  persons  are 
employed  in  the  establishment.  The  stock  carried  is  large,  the  three  story 
and  basement  building  occupied  by  the  business  being  packed  with  goods.  Mr. 
Christiance  has  shown  much  shrewdness  and  sound  judgment  in  the  purchase 
and  handling  of  rubber  goods,  and  has  realized  handsomely  from  his  operations 
in  that  line.  In  addition  to  the  large  quantities  of  this  sort  of  goods  received  and 
disposed  of  from  the  store,  very  many  orders  are  sent  in  to  be  filled  from  the 
factory.  In  a  quiet,  unassuming  way,  and  through  force  of  unusual  business 
energy  and  sagacity  Mr.  Christiance  has  developed  the  trade  established  by  his 
father,  into  one  of  the  most  important  commercial  enterprises  of  the  place,  his 
sales  for  the  current  year  promising  to  reach  fully  $175,000.  Mr.  Christiance's 
thoroughness  in  any  matter  he  engages  in  is  well  shown  by  his  rapid  growth  in 
Masonry.  From  the  humblest  position  in  the  ranks  of  this  great  body  in  a  few 
years  he  pushed  his  way  to  the  very  fore-front.  For  several  years  he  has  held 
the  important  and  responsible  position  of  Grand  Treasurer  of  the  Grand  Com- 
mandery  of  the  State  of  New  York.  In  all  respects  R.  C.  Christiance  is  one  of 
the  leading,  representative  business  men  of  Ithaca. 

WORTMM  &  SON. 

The  business  career  of  Jacob  R.  Wortman,  the  head  of  this  well-known  and 
prosperous  firm,  began  in  1859,  when  in  connection  with  George  Breitenbecker, 
he  opened  a  small  meat  market  in  the  Clinton  block  on  North  Cayuga  street.  The 
venture  did  not  prove  a  successful  one,  and  after  a  time  was  abandoned.  In  1865 
Mr.  Wortman  took  possession  of  the  store  at  16  North  Auiora  street,  where  he 
has  remained  during  the  succeeding  eighteen  years.  Under  his  personal  direction 
his  business  has  prospered  finely,  and  his  market  is  recognized  as  the  leading 
one  in  the  place.  In  1879  Mr.  Wortman  associated  with  him  his  son,  L.S.  Wortman, 
by  whom  he  is  ably  seconded  in  his  efforts  to  properly  meet  the  demands  of  his 
large  and  growing  trade.  While  Mr.  Wortman  has,  through  persistent  industry 
and  the  possession  of  special  qualifications  for  the  business,  been  successful  in 
building  up  a  fine  reputation  in  his  line  and  a  large  patronage,  he  has  also  found 
time  and  inclination  to  interest  himself  in  the  general  welfare  of  the  community. 
In  1874  he  was  elected  to  a  commisionership  in  the  board  of  education,  succeed- 
ing in  that  body  the  late  John  Gauntlett.  He  is  still  a  member  of  the  School  Board, 
having  been  twice  re-eiected,  and  has,  during  the  nine  years  of  service  in  that 
capacity,  been  one  of  the  most  faithful,  competent  members,  in  all  cases  favor- 
ing in  a  prudent  and  conservative,  but  thoroughly  earnest  manner,  projects 
which  have  tended  to  build  up  the  schools  of  this  village.  In  1882  Mr.  Wort- 
man was  elected  one  of  the  trustees  of  the  village  from  the  Second  Ward,  and  in 
his  capacity  as  a  member  of  the  village  board,  has  found  larger  scope  for  the 
exercise  of  the  business-like  methods  and  wide-awake  spiritedness  of  which  he 
is  the  possessor  in  no  small  measure.  As  illustrating  the  fore-thought  of  the 
subject  of  this  sketch,  it  is  of  interest  to  note  that  some  years  ago  he  purchased 


a  farm  of  fifty  acres  situated  along  the  lake  front  just  south  of  McKinney's.  This 
property  has  much  increased  in  value  since,  and  there  is  good  prospect  that  at 
no  very  distant  day,  the  whole  lake  front  lying  between  McKinney's  and  the 
Corner-of-the  lake,  will  be  in  lively  demand  as  sites  for  the  many  summer  resi- 
dences which  Mr.  Wortman  and  other  progressive-minded  citizens  confidently 
anticipate  will  be  erected.  Surely  there  is  no  more  healthy  and  charming  loca- 
tion for  the  building  of  a  sutnmer  cottage,  or  permanent  dwelling,  where  large 
and  attractive  grounds  could  be  had,  possessing  a  host  of  natural  points  of  beau- 
ty and  desirableness,  than  this  to  which  allusion  has  been  made.  Speed  the  day 
when,  beginning  with  the  Renwick  property,  than  which  there  is  no  more  eligible 
and  charming  place  in  the  State  for  the  establishing  of  a  beautiful  country  home, 
surrounded  by  grounds  which  with  slight  improvement  could  not  be  surpassed 
anywhere,  the  whole  eastern  slope  of  Cayuga,  running  north  for  three  miles 
at  least,  shall  be  adorned  with  the  homes  of  the  future  well-to-do  manufacturers 
and  enterprising  tradesmen  of  the  revived  Ithaca. 

C.  H.  YIN  MOUTER. 

A  very  successful  business  enterprise,  which  has  been  built  up  in  a  com- 
paratively few  years  by  one  of  the  young  business  men  of  the  place,  is  the  whole- 
sale and  retail  lumber  concern  of  C.  H.  Van  Houter,  located  at  the  corner  of 
Clinton  and  Cayuga  streets.  Peter  Van  Houter  for  years  owned  and  operated 
a  lumber  yard  on  South  Tioga  street  and  his  son,  C.  H.  VanHouter,  therefore 
grew  up  to  a  knowledge  of  the  business,  with  which  he  is  thoroughly  acquainted 
in  all  its  details.  In  1875  he  entered  into  a  co-partnership  with  George  Small 
and  for  three  years  this  firm  carried  on  the  business  now  conducted  by  Mr. 
Small  alone.  In  1878  Mr.  Van  Houter  opened  a  yard  on  his  own  account  on 
the  site  of  the  brick  planing  mill  at  the  corner  of  Green  and  Tioga  streets.  In 
1880  he  removed  his  growing  business  to  its  present  location,  where  it  has  pros- 
pered well.  From  the  dimensions  of  a  limited  retail  trade  the  business  has  been 
greatly  extended,  and  frequent  shipments  are  made  to  Watkins,  Geneva,  Lyons, 
Auburn,  and  many  other  points  within  a  radius  of  50  miles.  Orders  have  also 
been  received  from  New  York,  points  in  New  Jersey,  and  even  in  some  instances 
from  Boston.  This  yard  is  fully  stocked  in  all  respects,  and  a  low  range  of 
prices  is  maintained.  In  some  particular  grades  of  lumber,  Mr.  Van  Houter  has 
been  able  to  defy  the  competition  of  the  largest  wholesale  dealers.  A  speciality 
is  made  of  cut  shingles,  of  which  class  of  wares,  a  larger  sale  is  made  at  this 
yard  than  by  any  other  dealer  in  the  State  east  of  Buffalo  and  Tonawanda. 

J.  F.  BRUEN. 

The  establishment  in  Ithaca  of  a  large  and  fine  store  this  season,  devoted  to 
the  exclusive  sale  of  carpets,  rugs,  oil  cloths,  and  linoleum  goods,  excited 
considerable  attention  and  interest.  The  premises  occupied  are  located  in  the 
Rumsey  block  on  North  Tioga  street,  in  the  store  formerly  occupied  by  Spence 
Spencer,  for  the  sale  of  books  and  stationery.  Mr.  Bruen,  the  proprietor,  is  a 
member  of  the  firm  of  Bruen  Brothers,  large  wholesale  carpet  dealers  of  New 
York,  whose  commercial  reputation  is  of  the  highest  standing.  Having  been  for 
years  a  traveling  salesman  for  the  house,  Mr.  Bruen  became  at  length  desirous 


US 

of  locating  permanently,  and  making  a  settled  abiding  place  for  himself  and 
family.  After  looking  carefully  over  the  field,  he  fixed  upon  Ithaca  as  a  desirable 
place  to  live  in,  and  one  that  promised  to  permit  the  building  up  in  time  agood 
trade.  Accordingly  the  store  in  question  was  taken,  and  after  it  had  been  com- 
pletely renovated  and  finely  re-fitted,  a  splendid  stock  of  carpets,  rugs,  cur- 
tains, oil  cloths  and  linoleum  goods  was  put  in,  and  the  place  opened  for 
public  patronage.  Mr.  Bruen  has  pursued  from  the  outset  a  very  liberal  method 
of  proclaiming  his  establishment  in  our  midst;  attractive  announcements  appear- 
ed in  the  newspapers,  large  quantities  of  neat  oil  cloth  school  bags  were  distri- 
buted among  the  hundreds  of  children  of  the  town,  a  very  handsome  display  of 
rich  carpets,  rugs,  etc.  was  made  at  the  fine  fair  of  the  Agricultural  Society  in 
September,  a  fine  carpet  was  presented  to  Torrent  Hose  Co.  No.  5,  for  sale  at 
their  recent  benefit  fair,  and  in 'many  varying  ways  the  liberality  of  the  firm  has 
been  displayed,  and  the  way  paved  for  a  large  and  growin-g  trade  and  popularity. 
Meanwhile  business  has  grown  and  and  considerable  sales  have  already  been 
made.  There  is  room  here  for  such  men  as  J.  F.  Bruen,  and  his  business 
should  bring  large  financial  prosperity. 

R.  B.  HEGGIE. 

The  successful  and  growing  jewelry  and  engraving  business  of  which  R.  A. 
Heggie  is  'he  proprietor,  located  in  a  handsome,  plate  glass  front  store  at  40 
East  State  street,  had  its  beginning  in  1875,  when  Mr.  Heggie,  after  a  thorough 
practical  training  in  the  trade,  made  his  first  venture  on  his  own  account  by 
leasing  a  portion  of  the  book-store  then  conducted  in  the  Rumsey  Block  on 
North  Tioga  street  by  Spence  Spencer.  Mr.  Heggie's  unusual  skill  as  a  design- 
er and  maker  of  pins  and  badges,  and  as  an  engraver,  has  won  for  him  much 
more  than  a  local  reputation.  Soon  after  his  establishment  here  he  began  to  re- 
ceive considerable  orders  for  fraternity  pins,  and  during  the  eight  years  he  has 
been  in  business  has  made  a  very  large  number,  many  of  them  being  very  hand- 
some in  design  and  unexcelled  in  the  skillful  workmanship  displayed  in  their  con- 
struction. As  an  engraver  Mr.  Heggie  has  no  superior  in  this  locality.  In  1881 
he  removed  his  business  to  its  present  location,  where  it  has  prospered  very  fine- 
ly. The  store  is  neatly  appointed  in  all  respects,  and  its  attractive  cases  con- 
tain a  handsome  display  of  fine  diamonds, rich  jewelry,  watches,  silverware,  and 
gold  pens.  The  exhibit  of  fine  jewelry,  diamonds  and  watches  made  by  Mr. 
Heggie  at  the  fair  of  the  Tompkins  County  Agricultural  Society  this  fall  attract- 
ed much  admiration  and  received  the  premium  awarded  by  the  society  for 
superior  merit. 

¥HITE  &  BURDICK. 

Away  back  in  Ithaca's  history  nearly  every  store  carried  a  line  of  drugs,  and 
and  it  was  not  until  1820  that  the  first  drug  store  exclusively  was  established. 
A  Dr.  Miller  was  the  pioneer  in  this  branch  of  business,  and  there  are  living  to- 
day here  a  few  people  who  remember  his  drug  store  with  its  wonder-inspiring 
colored  lights  in  the  window,  which  stood  on  the  present  site  of  the  ornate 
Sprague  Block.  Benjamin  Halsey  was  a  clerk  in  Dr.Miller's  establishment,  and 
succeeded  him  as  the  proprietor.  For  full  forty  years  the  drug  business  was  car- 


SO  V\ \\KCK 

ried  on  by  Mr.  Halsey  and  bis  son  in  different  locations  on  State  street.  They 
were  succeeded  by  J.  Colwell,  and  in  1867  this  old  established  business  was 
purchased  by  Messrs.  Charles  H.  White  and  D.  W.  Burdick.  In  1860  the  build- 
ing No.  16  East  State  street  was  erected,  and  soon  after  the  storeroom  now  occu- 
pied by  Messrs.  White  &  Burdick  was  secured  as  being  a  favorable  location  for 
this  drug  business.  This  firm  have  been  very  successful  and  have  built  up  a 
large  and  profitable  business.  Their  storeroom  is  18  feet  wide  and  84  feet  deep, 
with  a  large  basement  occupied  for  storage  purpose.  The  business  which,  when 
originally  started  did  not  amount  to  more  than  that  now  usually  done  by  some 
physician,  has  grown  to  proportions  which  would  then  have  been  considered  ex- 
traordinarily large,  and  forms  an  excellent  illustration  of  Ithaca's  growth  and 
progress  in  general. 

THE  PATRICK  WILL  SHOE  STORE. 

The  business,  located  at  No.  12  North  Aurora  street,  of  which  the  well- 
known  boot  and  shoe  merchant,  Patrick  Wall  is  in  charge,  was  established  by 
him  in  1871  in  a  small  store  on  South  Aurora  street.  It  was  removed  a  year  or 
two  later  to  its  present  more  attractive  and  commodious  quarters,  where  is  to  be, 
found  a  large  and  fine  stock  of  boots  and  sli  >es,  slippers  and  rubbers  in  all 
grades  and  at  fair  prices.  The  reputation  of  this  well  and  favorably  known 
house  for  honest  dealing  is  excellent,  and  entitles  it  to  the  liberal  patronage  of 
Ithaca  and  vicinity. 

THE  flUTOPHONE  COMPANY. 

Within  the  last  few  years  public  attention  has  largely  been  drawn  to  automatic 
musical  instruments,  through  the  efforts  of  men  of  acknowledged  genius  and 
ability  to  perfect  ail  instrument  that,  unlike  the  much  execrated  hand  organ  or 
more  desirable  music-box  even,  would  produce  all  the  latest  music  of  the  day  as 
well  as  possess  the  range  to  give  the  variety  of  the  costly  organ  or  piano,  without 
requiring  the  skill  and  the  ability  requisite  to  the  performance  on  those  instru- 
ments. While  almost  every  person  is  attracted  and  pleased,  more  or  less,  by  mu- 
sic, there  are  comparatively  few  who  can  master  the  trained  ear  or  facility  of  exe- 
cution necessary  to  success — to  render  correctly  the  simpler  melodies  even,  let 
alone  the  grand  conceptions  of  the  masters — and  that  there  is  a  demand  for  such 
instruments  has  been  conclusively  proven  by  the  avidity  with  which  the  public 
have  purchased  the  results  of  every  attempt  in  this  direction,  however  crude. 
Various  degrees  of  success  have  attended  the  efforts  of  those  who  have  attempted 
to  produce  such  an  instrument,  and  the  country  has  been  literally  flooded  with 
their  inventions,  most  of  which  are  awkward  and  complicated,  lacking  in  both 
simplicity  and  economy  and  giving  very  imperfect  and  unsatisfactory  results. 
Among  those  who  engaged  in  the  attempt  was  Mr.  H.  B.  Horton,  of  Ithaca,  whose 
genius  and  ability  are  well  known.  After  working  several  years  on  the  problem, 
he  was  finally  rewarded  for  his  perseverance  with  its  satisfactory  solution,  and  pro- 
duced as  the  result,  the  Autophone.  which  is  now  so  widely  and  favorably  known 
as  the  most  perfect  and  desirable  automatic  musical  instrument  ever  invented. 
The  Autophone  possesses  many  points  of  advantage  over  all  other  automatic  mu- 
sical instruments  in  elegance,  utility,  simplicity  of  construction,  economy  and  ex- 


ns 

ecution,  but  chiefly  in  its  music,  the  condensation  of  the  music  allowing  a  greater 
number  of  notes  and  consequently  more  harmony.  Unlike  the  others,  too,  the 
feed  of  the  music  is  intermittent,  being  controlled  by  a  simple  piece  of  mechanism 
forming  one  of  the  features  of  the  patent,  and  the  regularity  and  perfection  with 
which  the  music  is  rendered  is  remarkable.  The  vast  range  of  music  it  is  capa- 
ble of  rendering  embraces  not  only  the  sacred  and  instrumental  music  commonly 
known,  and  the  popular  songs  of  the  day.  but  the  more  difficult  and  classical  com- 
positions which  only  the  professional  artists  perform,  as  well  as  the  operas.  The 
instruments  are  manufactured  of  the  very  best  materials  and  finished  in  styles 
both  unique  and  handsome,  making  them  a  decided  ornament  in  any  household, 
while  their  durability  is  such  that  with  reasonable  care  they  will  last  a  long  time, 
and  even  if  from  any  cause  they  become  out  of  tune  the  reeds  can  be  detached 
returned  to  the  factory  and  re-tuned  at  a  very  slight  cost.  They  are  not  toys,  but 
substantial  musical  instruments  of  remarkable  power,  sweetness  and  purity  of 
tone,  capable  of  spreading  delight  and  happiness  into  many  homes  which  other- 
wise would  be  debarred  from  the  pleasure  and  refining  influence  of  music,  as  also 
affording  novelty  and  pleasure  to  those  even,  whose  circumstances  permit  them 
to  indulge  their  taste  in  a  costly  organ  or  piano.  The  catalogue  of  music  pre- 
pared for  the  Autophone  now  embraces  nearly  i, coo  tunes — sacred  and  instrumen- 
tal music,  popular  airs  and  the  operas— and  the  more  fully  it  is  understood  and 
introduced  the  more  popular  it  must  become.  Letters  patent  were  first  granted 
Mr.  Horton  for  the  Autophone  in  October,  1877,  and  again  in  December,  1878, and 
he  tried  to  interest  capital  in  the  formation  of  a  company  for  its  manufacture,  but 
was  then  unsuccessful,  owing  to  the  fact  that  special  music,  differing  materially 
from  that  used  in  other  automatic  musical  instruments,  was  required,  and  there 
was  a  genera]  incredulity  as  to  his  ability  to  construct  a  machine  that  would  cut 
it.  Having  satisfactorily  demonstrated  this  point,  however,  by  the  construction 
of  a  press,  the  Autophone  Company  was  formed  by  F.  M.  Finch,  H  F.  Hibbard 
and  H.  B.  Horton,  and  in  September,  1879,  incorporated.  A  room  was  secured 
— half  of  the  second  floor — in  the  west  wing  of  the  Ithaca  Calendar  Clock  Com- 
pany's building  and  the  work  of  manufacturing  the  Autophone  begun.  When 
placed  upon  the  market  its  novelty  and  decided  merit  won  for  it  immediate  pop- 
ularity, and  about  75  Autophones  were  produced  monthly,  until  in  the  spring  of 
1880,  when  the  whole  of  this  floor  was  taken  and  the  capacity  of  the  factory  about 
doubled.  The  demand  for  them  steadily  increasing,  the  capacity  was  again  en- 
larged during  the  same  year,  and  early  in  1881  the  entire  west  wing  of  this  large 
building  was  occupied  by  the  company.  During  1882  they  manufactured  15,000 
of  the  small  sized  instruments  and  3,000  of  the  other  sizes,  and  as  the  demand  for 
the  larger  instruments  is  greater  this  year,  the  aggregate  amount  of  business  for 
1883,  in  dollars,  will  probably  equal  the  large  business  of  1882,  while  the  pros- 
pects for  the  future  are  even  brighter.  Having  purchased  Horton's  patents,  a  new 
organization  of  the  company  was  effected  in  April,  1883,  and  the  officers  now  are 
F.  M.  Finch,  President  ;  H.  A.  St.  John,  Vice  President,  and  H.  M.  Hibbard, 
Treasurer.  Mr.  St.  John  and  Mr.  Hibbard  have  been  actively  connected  with  the 
company  since  February,  1881,  however,  and  the  latter  is  especially  well  versed 
in  the  business.  Four  sizes  of  the  Autophone  are  made,  the  smallest  instrument 


ns 


/22  notes)  selling  for  $5;  the  concert  style,  $12  ;  concert  style,  with  stand,  (32  notes) 
$16,  and  the  cabinet  autophone,  $35  ;  and  the  company  are  also  now  manufactur- 
ing Prof.  Cleaves'  Patent  Study  Table,  a  most  convenient  and  useful  article  for 
the  student  or  writer.  A  working  force  of  45  people  is  employed,  which  number 


MS 

is  nearly  doubled  in  preparation  for  the  holiday  trade,  and  the  facilities  for  pro- 
ducing the  Autophone  are  of  the  most  complete  character.  The  machinery  is  prin- 
cipally that  specially  adapted  and  invented  for  this  business,  and  includes  five 
presses  for  cutting  music.  These  presses  are  wonders  of  ingenious  mechanism, 
and  it  might  here  be  mentioned  that  the  Autophone  Company  are  the  only  manu- 
facturers of  automatic  musical  instruments  who  cut  their  own  music.  When  it  is 
considered  what  an  immense  amount  of  skilled  labor  is  required  to  produce  one 
of  these  little  instruments  it  is  surprising  how  the)-  can  be  sold  so  cheaply.  The 
reeds  are  as  carefully  and  accurately  tuned  as  those  of  an  organ,  while  the  materi- 
al is  of  the  very  best  quality  and  the  workmanship  expended  on  the  cases,  on 
every  part  of  the  instrument,  is  fully  equal  to  that  expended  on  an  organ.  But 
the  result  justifies  the  expenditure  of  both  the  time  and  money,  for  the  popularity 
of  the  Autophone  is  steadily  increasing  and  it  is  constantly  making  new  friends 
and  patrons  where  other  automatic  musical  instruments  are  being  consigned  to 
oblivion.  The  Autophone  Company  are  just  beginning  to  export  their  products 
and  with  the  favorable  reception  the  Autophone  is  meeting  in  other  countries  and 
the  still  greater  demand  here  at  home  they  have  every  reason  to  feel  gratified  at 
their  past  success  as  well  as  pleased  with  the  prospects  of  the  future,  They  have 
an  abundance  of  capital,  the  enterprise  is  conducted  by  gentlemen  of  ability  and 
there  is  every  indication  that  the  industry  will  not  only  continue  to  thrive  and 
prosper,  but  add  still  more  largely  to  the  wealth,  prosperity  and  industrial  repu- 
tation of  Ithaca. 

C.  fl.  IVES. 

For  the  convenient  purchase  of  tickets  to  all  points  throughout  the  world, 
Ithaca  is  well  supplied  with  ticket  offices  right  in  the  heart  of  the  village.  Nota- 
ble among  these  is  the  office  of  C.  A.  Ives,  at  No.  3  Clinton  block.  The  office 
was  opened  by  Mr.  Ives  about  six  years  ago,  and  through  his  courtesy  and  ac- 
curacy he  has  become  well-known  to  the  traveling  public,  and  his  office  is  a  fa- 
vorite place  for  purchasers  of  railway  and  steamship  tickets.  He  is  the  regular 
city  agent  for  the  Lehigh  Valley  Railroad.  Being  thoroughly  posted  on  all  lines 
of  travel  he  is  enabled  to  furnish  the  most  complete  information  to  tourists  and 
others,  especially  concerning  the  Great  West  and  its  railroads.  Baggage  is 
checked  from  the  residences  of  those  purchasing  tickets  from  him,  and  by  rea- 
son of  the  accommodations  afforded  the  traveling  public,  his  office  is  a  great 
convenience,  and  is  thereby  worthy  the  brief  notice  given. 

SHELDON  &  BLIYEN. 

The  best  equipped  and  most  popularly  managed  livery  establishment  in 
Ithaca  is  that  of  Sheldon  &  Bliven,  located  at  the  foot  of  South  Tioga  street. 
The  ground  upon  which  the  large  and  attractive  appearing  stables  and  office 
stand  is  in  some  respects  historic.  Here  for  many  years  prior  to  the  great  flood 
of  1857  stood  a  hat  manufactory  originally  conducted  by  the  Tichenors,  and  later 
by  the  well  known  hat  and  fur  merchant  of  to-day,  William  M.  Culver.  This 
building  and  its  contents  were  carried  away  and  destroyed  by  the  terrible  deluge 
of  angry  waters  which  swept  through  this  village  on  that  memorable  night  twenty- 
six  years  ago.  In  1879  the  firm  of  Sheldon  &  Bliven  was  formed.  The  senior 
member  of  the  firm,  J.  P.  Sheldon,  was  for  several  years  previous  to  that  date 


VtS 


the  proprietor  of  a  livery  stable  in  this  place,  and  the  other  member  of  the  firm, 
C.  M.  Bliven,  came  here  in  that  year  from  Norwich,  Chenango  County.  The 
buildings  have  been  much  improved  since  their  occupancy  by  Sheldon  &  Bliven, 
and  the  business  has  prospered  under  the  management  of  these  gentlemen.  Both 
are  known  as  excellent  judges  of  horse-flesh,  and  in  addition  to  owning  consid- 
erable first-class  stock  for  hire,  as  well  as  keeping  the  most  stylish  and  tasty 
turnouts  the  village  affords,  have  in  their  stables,  Pathfinder,  a  splendid  animal 
for  breeding  purposes.  The  establishment  of  this  enterprising  firm  deservedly 
receives  much  of  the  best  patronage  of  the  place. 

C.  S.  ¥IXOM. 

The  general  art  and  variety  store  at  38  East  State  street,  of  which  Clermont  S. 
Wixom  is  the  proprietor,  was  established  December  ist,  1881,  by  the  firm  of 
Wright  &  Wixom.  In  the  following  May  Mr.  Wixom  purchased  Mr.  Wright's 
share  of  the  business  and  has  since  conducted  it  alone.  The  stock  has  been  much 
increased  and  improved  under  Mr.  Wixom's  individual  proprietorship  and  his 
store  contains  a  very  full  and  fine  assortment  of  art,  variety  and  fancy  goods.  A 
specialty  is  made  of  framing  pictures  and  a  large  and  growing  patronage  in  this 
department  of  the  business  is  enjoyed  at  this  store.  For  holiday  and  anniversary 
gifts  this  well-known  and  popular,  cheap  store  is  the  leading  headquarters  in  the 
county.  Excellent  taste  is  shown  in  the  selection  of  goods,  much  enterprise  is 
exhibited  in  acquainting  the  public  with  interesting  facts  relating  to  the  business, 
and  further  and  growing  success  is  due  this  well  conducted  store,  which  fills  an 
important  place  in  the  business  resources  of  Ithaca. 

¥ILLIfiM  FRESR. 

"As  familiar  as  household  words"  throughout  Tompkins  Count)7,  are  the 
name  and  high  standing,  in  his  profession,  of  William  Frear,  the  oldest  estab- 
lished and  most  prominent  photographer  of  Ithaca  and  its  vicinity.  There  is 
scarcely  a  household  in  the  county  where  some  evidence  of  his  artistic  taste  and 
undoubted  skill  as  a  photographer  will  not  be  found  gracing  the  pages  of  the 
family  album.  The  growth  of  William  Frear's  business  has  kept  pace  with  his 
increasing  artistic  excellence  and  merit,  and  in  both  respects  it  can  be  truthfully 
said  he  stands  now  in  the  lead,  as  regards  this  place  and  a  considerable  sur- 
rounding territory.  A  sketch  of  the  leading  events  in  the  professional  and  busi- 
ness growth  of  Mr.  Frear  will  form  an  interesting  chapter  in  ITHACA  AND  ITS 
RESOURCES.  After  getting  a  thorough  training  in  the  elements  of  photography 
with  the  firm  of  Moulton  &  Larcom,  in  the  adjacent  city  of  Elmira,  Mr.  Frear  re- 
moved to  Jamestown,  Chautauqua  County,  in  1865,  and  there  in  connection 
with  Alvin  Phillips,  opened  a  gallery.  In  March,  1857,  he  purchased  of 
George  Beardsley  his  share  of  the  business  which  had  been  started  by 
Purdy  &  Beardsley.  The  new  firm  of  Purdy  &  Frear  occupied  the  same  quarters 
on  the  upper  floor  of  the  Pumpelly  Block,  where  Mr.  Frear's  business  is  now  lo- 
cated. In  1873  Mr.  Purdy  withdrew  from  the  firm  to  devote  himself  to  portrait 
painting,  and  Mr.  Frear  has  since  remained  sole  proprietor  of  the  business,  to 
which  he  has  greatly  added  in  all  ways.  Hundreds  of  dollars  have  been  expend- 
ed in  the  finest  and  newest  apparatus  obtainable,  new  scenery  and  backgrounds 


\TS 

have  been  purchased  from  time  to  time,  and  all  new  processes  in  the  art  have 
been  mastered  promptly  and  put  into  successful  operation  at  this  gallery.  The 
"instantaneous"  process,  the  greatest  recent  improvement  in  photography  is 
now  almost  exclusively  practiced  by  Mr.  Frear  and  his  remarkable  success  in 
the  line  of  accurate  children's  pictures,  so  strongl}1-  illustrated  by  the  fine  prize 
exhibition  of  child  pictures  made  at  the  late  county  fair,  is  largely  due  to  his 
thorough  mastery  of  this  method.  While  Mr.  Frear  has  not  infrequently  given 
evidence  of  much  originality  and  versatility  by  his  excellently  made  novelties  in 
the  line  of  photographic  studies,  among  which  maybe  mentioned  his  "palette" 
pictures,  curious  "double'' pictures,  groups  of  heads,  and  season  sketches,  shown 
at  the  fair  of  1882,  still  he  is  best  known  for  the  painstaking  care,  and  faithful  ac- 
curacy with  which  his  pictures  in  standard  styles  are  invariably  made.  So  well 
established  is  the  reputation  of  Mr.  Frear  for  the  naturalness  and  accuracy  of  his 
work  that  for  one  to  say  that  a  photograph  is  from  his  studio  is  as  much  as  to 
assert  that  it  is  in  the  great  majority  of  instances,  a  correct  and  excellently  fin- 
ished picture.  A  high  standing  in  a  community  for  thoroughness,  enterprise 
and  business  worth  always  challenges  the  admiration  of  the  public.  Such  a  po- 
sition is  held  in  Ithaca  by  William  Frear,  and  it  is  an  augury  of  even  larger  suc- 
cess in  the  future  than  he  has  yet  enjoyed. 

REYNOLDS  &  LfiNG. 

The  business  of  Reynolds  &  Lang,  the  Green  Street  Iron  Founders  and 
Machinists,  is  the  oldest  continuous  manufacturing  business  in  Ithaca  to- 
day. The  growth  of  this  establishment,  which  is  probably  the  largest  of  its  class 
in  the  village,  is  an  illustration  of  the  growth  and  progress  of  the  "Forest  City," 
and  forms  an  interesting  chapter  of  ITHACA  AND  ITS  RESOURCES.  Many  readers 
here  will  remember  the  old  foundry  which  for  years  stood  on  the  present  site 
of  the  handsome  Masonic  Block  on  Tioga  street.  Here  in  this  old  building  in 
1840  the  foundry  business  was  established  by  the  firm  of  McCormick  &  Coy. 
The  building  was  small,  about  25x35  feet  in  dimensions,  and  the  manufacture 
of  stoves  and  a  general  jobbing  and  repair  business  was  done.  For  some  rea- 
son it  changed  hands  very  frequently.  McCormick  &  Coy  were  succeeded 
by  the  Coy  Brothers,  and  they  b}-  Stephen  H.  Coy.  Then  John  H.  Coy  tried  it 
but  gave  place  in  turn  to  E.  G.  Coy  in  1844.  It  was  while  the  establishment 
was  run  by  the  Coy  Brothers  in  1841  that  Mr.  J.  S.  Reynolds,  of  the  present 
firm  of  Reynolds  &  Lanc^entered  the  foundry  to  learn  his  trade  of  molding. 
With  the  growth  of  Ithacalnis  property  became  more  valuable  and  was  pur- 
chased by  B.  G.  Pelton.  He  continued  the  business  for  some  years  and  in  1861 
Mr.  Reynolds,  who  had  served  his  apprencticeship  in  the  foundry  and  become  a 
skilled  workman,  leased  it.  In  1865  he  formed  a  co-partnership  with  Mr.  J.  B. 
Lang,  a  practical  machinist  of  large  experience,  and  the  business  was  success- 
fully continued  there  by  them  until  1870,  when,  it  being  desirable  to  enlarge, 
they  purchased  the  site  on  Green  street,  near  Tioga,  now  occupied  by  them  and 
erecting  buildings  removed  from  the  old  shops,  upon  the  site  of  which  the  large 
brick  Masonic  Block  was  soon  built.  Under  the  management  of  Reynolds  £ 
Lang,  the  business  had  been  steadily  increasing,  the  manufacture  of  stoves  had 
been  abandoned  a  long  time  and  the  production  of  mill  machinery,  building 


HS 


iron  and  store  fronts  was  the  specialty.  In  1875  they  began  building  steam  en- 
gines and  boilers,  which  has  since  been  the  leading  specialty  and  they  now  man- 
ufacture portable  and  stationary  engines  and  boilers,  mill  gearing,  agricultural 
implements,  &c.  The  buildings  were  considerably  enlarged  in  1877,  and  the 
old  machinery  being  replaced  by  new,  the  equipment  is  now  equal  to  all  demands, 
and  forms  a  valuable  plant.  The  main  building  is  a  three  story  frame  structure, 
fronting  63  feet  on  Green  street  and  40  feet  deep.  The  first  floor  is  occupied  by 
the  machine  shop  and  office  and  the  second  and  third  floors  by  the  wood  work- 
ing and  finishing  departments.  In  the  rear  are  the  foundry,  40x50  feet  in  dimen- 
sions and  the  boiler  shop,  50x30  feet.  A  force  of  30  men  is  employed  and  a 
large  number  of  engines  are  built  annually,  besides  a  large  amount  of  mill 
gearing  and  other  work.  Their  portable  threshing  and  farm  engine  is  consider 
ed  the  best  engine  for  the  purpose  manufactured,  by  the  farmers  in  this  State,  it 
being  noted  for  economy  in  the  amount  of  fuel  required  for  the  power  furnished. 
All  their  products,  however,  are  noted  for  quality  and  workmanship,  as  would 
naturally  be  expected  from  a  firm  that  were  practical  workmen  and  iron  found- 
ers and  machinists  in  reality  and  not  simply  in  name.  Having  so  far  kept  pace 
with  the  progress  made  by  Ithaca  it  is  not  likely  the  growth  of  the  establishment 
will  stop  now,  and  it  may  be  with  confidence  expected  that  Reynolds  &  Lang 

will  advance  still  farther  and   add   still    more   largely   to  the  prosperity  of  this 

place. 

J.  H.  MORTON. 

In  1876  the  Lehigh  Valley  Coal  Company  established  an  agency  in  this  place, 
putting  its  important  interests  here  into  the  hands  of  Col.  J.  H.  Horton,  who  had 
for  some  years  previously  been  in  the  employ  of  the  Anthracite  Coal  Company,  as 
superintendent  of  the  mines  in  Sullivan  County,  Pennsylvania.  Col.  Horton 
has  proved  a  very  efficient  and  popular  representative  of  the  Lehigh  Valley  Coal 
Company,  and  has  had  not  a  little  to  do  with  the  very  large  increase  in  business 
at  this  point  which  the  company  has  obtained  in  the  last  six  years.  Figures,  far 
better  than  adjectives,  convey  a  correct  idea  of  the  growth  of  a  business,  as  well 
as  its  present  status.  In  1877  the  Lehigh  Valley  Company  shipped  by  water  from 
this  point  40,000  tons  of  coal.  During  the  present  season  the  amount  shipped  by 
water  will  reach  165,000  tons.  The  facilities  for  handling  coal  have  been  largely 
increased,  a  new  dock  being  now  in  process  of  construction,  and  next  year  an  ad- 
ditional dock  will  be  built.  Where  formerly  not  0ore  than  25,000  tons  of  coal 
could  be  stocked,  now  100,000  tons  can  be  stocked  and  still  more  room  is  needed. 
On  the  docks  sixty  laborers  are  employed  and  besides  a  foreman  and  four  clerks. 
There  is  sold  from  the  retail  department  annually  15,000  tons  of  anthracite  coal 
and  11,000  tons  of  bituminous  coal.  The  Ithaca  Agency  is  the  headquarters  for 
the  Valley  Company's  Western  trade,  and  the  through  shipments  over  the  G.  I.  & 
S.  railroad  are  very  large.  During  the  current  year  closing  Nov.  3Oth  the  amount 
of  hard  coal  passing  this  point  will  reach  nearly  500,000  tons,  and  to  this  must  be 
added  60,000  tons  of  soft  coal.  The  property  of  the  Lehigh  Valley  Coal  Com- 
pany at  this  point  amounts  to  upwards  of  $100,000  in  value  and  this  is  to  be  large- 
ly increased  in  the  future.  The  large  enrerprise  of  which  Col.  J.  H.  Horton  is 
the  very  capable  manager,  adds  much  to  the  commercial  importance  of  Ithaca. 


KHD   US   RtSOViRCtS.  91 

fiNDRUS  &  CHURCH. 

Probably  few  of  the  readers  are  aware  of  the  fact  that  at  one  time  Ithaca  was 
widely  known  as  a  publishing  centre.  But  such  is  a  fact,  and  many  years  ago 
the  house  now  bearing  the  name  of  Andrus  &  Church  was  engaged  in  publishing 
educational  and  other  books  which  found  a  wide  market,  among  their  customers 
being  one  of  the  largest  publishing  houses  now  engaged  in  business  in  New  York 
City.  But  what  will  seem  siill  more  notable  is  that  not  only  were  the  books  print- 
ed and  bound  by  this  publishing  house,  but  that  the  paper  upon  which  they  were 
printed  was  also  manufactured  by  them,  and  branch  houses  were  established  in 
Elmira,  Hornellsville  and  other  cities  throughout  the  country  for  the  sale  of  their 
publications  and  those  of  other  publishers,  with  whom  they  exchanged  their  books. 
That  day  has  passed,  that  place  of  business  has  been  abandoned,  and  many  relics 
of  that  time  were  destroyed  when  the  old  fashioned  three-story  building  which 
stood  on  the  present  site  of  the  handsome  Andrus  &  Church  block  at  No.  51  East 
State  street,  and  in  which  for  so  many  years  that  business  was  conducted,  was 
burned  in  April  of  1871.  That  old  landmark  is  gone,  an  imposing  brick  struc- 
ture stands  in  its  place,  the  character  of  the  business  has  somewhat  changed,  and 
the  son  of  the  leading  spirit  of  the  old  house  is  at  the  head  of  the  house  now  con 
ducting  it.  William  Andrus  was  born  at  Harwinton,  Conn.,  November  18,  1800. 
At  the  age  of  ten  years  he  lost  his  father  by  death  and  was  thrown  upon  his  own 
resources.  He  was  fortunate,  however,  in  falling  into  the  hands  of  an  intelligent 
and  religious  New  England  farmer  who  instilled  into  the  boy's  mind  those  lessons 
of  integrity,  uprightness  and  economy  which  can  hardly  be  else  than  productive  of 
good.  At  the  age  of  sixteen  he  went  to  New  York  and  entered  into  the  employ 
of  a  printer  named  Paul,  with  whom  he  remained  until  1823.  Here  again  he  was 
fortunate  in  his  associations  and  the  principles  taught  him  by  the  former  became 
more  deeply  fixed  in  his  mind.  While  traveling  as  an  auctioneer  for  his  elder 
brother  Silas,  a  bookseller  in  Hartford,  Conn.,  in  1824,  he  visited  Ithaca.  His 
prompt  attention  to  business,  gentlemanly  politeness,  retiring  demeanor  and  high- 
toned  integrity  impressed  all  with  whom  he  came  in  contact,  but  more  especially 
Mr.  Ebenezer  Mack,  then  engaged  in  the  book  trade  and  the  publication  of  the 
Journal.  After  he  left  Ithaca,  Mr.  Mack  wrote  him  and  made  proposals  of  part- 
nership. The  proposition  was  accepted  by  Mr.  Andrus  and  in  the  fall  of  1824  he 
removed  to  Ithaca,  and  the  firm  of  Mack  &  Andrus  was  formed.  The  name  of 
the  firm  and  the  character  of  the  business  changed  several  times.  In  1835  or  1836 
it  became  Mack,  Andrus  &  Woodruff;  in  1842,  Andrus,  Woodruff  &  Gauntlett  ; 
then  Andrus,  Gauntlett  &  Co.,  and  in  1859,  Andrus,  McChain  &  Co.  An  exceed- 
ingly large  business  was  built  up,  and  it  was  during  this  period — the  exact  date 
is  not  within  reach — that  the  large  publishing  business  of  which  mention  is  made 
in  the  opening  of  this  sketch  was  conducted.  William  Andrus  acquired  a  com- 
petence and  died  an  honored  and  lamented  citizen,  December  20,  1869.  His  son, 
William  Andrus,  took  his  place  in  the  firm,  which  continued  as  Andrus, McChain 
&  Co.,  until  1869,  when  the  present  firm  of  Andrus  &  Church  was  formed  by  Will- 
iam Andrus  and  W.  A.  Church.  The  business  of  Andrus  &  Church, the  succes- 
sors of  this  old  house,  is  now  that  of  dealers  in, books  and  stationery  and  printers 
a  rid  binders.  They  occupy  the  first  floor  of  their  large  block,  25x80  feet  in  di- 


Sfc  VTY^Cfc    Wtt   US 

mensions,  as  a  salesroom  for  books,  stationery,  wall  paper,  etc.,  carrying  a  large 
stock  and  fine  assortment  of  everything  in  this  line,  especially  publications  in  de 
mand  by  students  at  the  University.  In  the  rear  of  this  building  is  a  three-story 
brick  structure  occupied  by  the  printing  office  and  bindery.  There  are  five  presses 
in  operation  and  a  fully  equipped  bindery  and  printing  office  in  the  building. 
From  10  to  12  people  are  employed  by  them,  and  besides  the  regular  book  and 
pamphlet  work,  blank  book  manufacturing  and  general  job  printing  done  they 
also  print  the  University  publications,  the  Cornell  Review  (monthly),  Era  (weekly) 
and  Sun  (daily).  They  do  a  large  business  and  rank  among  the  foremost  of  Ithaca's 
business  houses. 

THE  ITHSC1  GLASS  WORKS. 

The  glass  industty  is  becoming  of  considerable  prominence  in  Ithaca,  and 
there  is  certainly  no  other  that  could  be  more  welcome.  The  new  Ithaca  Glass 
Works  give  employment  to  150  workmen,  and  pay  out  $9,000  in  wages  every 
month.  This  simple  statement  is  sufficient  so  show  its  value  to  the  community, 
and  the  starting  up  anew  of  the  works  is  consequently  hailed  with  much  satisfac- 
tion. Originally  established  in  1874,  the  works  changed  owners  in  1876,  and 
were  successfully  conducted  until  April  of  1882,  when  they  were  destroyed  by 
fire.  A  new  company  was  subsequently  organized,  however,  and  the  works 
were  re-built,  being  completed  during  the  past  summer  (1883,)  and  are  now  in 
full  operation.  This  is  one  of  the  largest  and  best  arranged  glass  works  in  the 
country,  and  the  visitor  will  be  at  once  impressed  by  the  size  of  the  immense 
buildings,  especially  of  the  main  furnace  building,  which  is  100x205  feet  in 
dimensions.  To  the  architect  or  builder,  the  supporting  of  such  a  large  roof 
without  pillars  forms  an  interesting  study.  This  building  contains  two  eight-pot 
furnaces.  An  annex  furnace  building,  with  a  third  eight-pot  furnace,  is  now 
building,  and  will  be  75x100  feet  in  dimensions.  The  flattening  and  annealing 
building  is  150x90  feet,  while  the  building  occupied  by  the  cutting  and  packing 
departments  is  28x90  feet.  The  building  in  which  are  the  engine  room,  mill  for 
grinding  the  crucible  material  and  the  box  shop  is  30x120  feet.  The  crucible  build- 
ing, where  the  melting  pots  are  made,  is  a  two-story  frame  structure,  30x100  feet, 
and  the  batch  house  is  28x50  feet.  No  concern  in  this  country  possesses  better 
facilities,  either  for  manufacturing  glass  or  for  the  receipt  of  material  and  ship- 
ment of  product.  The  works  are  located  on  Third  street,  between  Franklin  and 
Railroad,  within  a  couple  hundred  feet  of  the  canal,  and  lie  between  the  Geneva, 
Ithaca  and  Sayre,  and  Delaware,  Lackawana  and  Western  Railroads,  with  sid- 
ings from  both  roads  running  directly  into  their  yards.  A  trestle  capable  of  re- 
ceiving 15  coal  cars  runs  alongside  the  main  furnace  building  and  permits  the 
dumping  of  coal  just  where  it  is  most  convenient,  while  the  yard  track  permits 
20  freight  cars  to  stand  in  the  yard  at  one  time  for  loading  or  unloading.  Sixty 
cars  are  received  and  put  out  from  the  works  every  week.  About  900  tons  of 
coal,  150  cords  of  wood,  65  tons  of  soda-ash,  and  250  tons  of  sand  (the  latter  com- 
ing: from  Oneida  Lake  by  canal,)  are  consumed  in  the  production  of  the  monthly 
output  of  9,000  boxes  of  glass.  Both  single  and  double  thick  Patent  White  Crys- 
tal Sheet  Glass  is  produced,  the  works  being  built  according  to  the  most  improv- 


\00 

ed  plans  for  the  economical  production  of  a  superior  quality  of  glass.  This  be- 
ing the  commencement  of  the  first  season  of  the  works,  it  is  a  source  of  much 
gratification  to  the  stockholders  in  the  concern,  that  their  new  and  expensive 
plant  is  working  so  satisfactorily,  the  glass  being  of  auniformly  fine  quality. 
The  works  were  built  under  the  direction  of  Mr.  Richard  Heagany,  the  superin- 
tendent, who  has  been  connected  with  them  since  1876.  And  he  may  well  feel  a 
pardonable  pride  in  the  result  of  his  labors.  The  Ithaca  Glass  Works  are  owned 
by  a  stock  company,  of  which  the  officers  are  Messrs.  C.  F.  Blood,  President  ; 
D.  F.  Williams,  Vice-President  ;  William  N.  Noble,  Treasurer  ;  Bradford  Almy, 
Secretary  ;  and  Richard  Heagany,  Superintendent.  These  gentlemen  are  all  well 
and  favorably  known  as  being  among  the  leading  citizens  of  Ithaca,  and  they 
certainly  could  confer  no  greater  benefit  upon  the  "Forest  City"  than  they  have 
in  building  these  works,  and  re-establishing  an  industry  of  so  much  value  to  the 
place.  It  is  to  be  hoped  that  the  auspicious  opening  of  the  works  under  this 
new  management  will  only  prove  to  be  the  forerunner  of  greater  success  to 
come,  and  when  again  the  Resources  of  Ithaca  are  thus  reviewed,  the  Ithaca 
Glass  Works  will  be  found  to  have  fulfilled  not  only  the  expectations  of  the  pro- 
moters of  the  enterprise,  but  have  served,  through  its  success,  to  attract  other 
industries  to  this  beautiful  village,  which  offers  so  many  advantages  to  manufac- 
turing enterprises  of  every  description. 

E.  S.  ESTY  &  SONS. 

In  the  year  1821  there  were  in  existence  two  establishments  devoted  to  the 
business  of  tanning  in  what  was  then  the  hamlet  of  Ithaca.  One  was  situated 
upon  the  grounds  now  occupied  by  the  beautiful  residences  of  Calvin  D.  Stowell 
and  Arthur  B.  Brooks  on  North  Aurora  street,  and  was  owned  by  Daniel  Bates, 
whose  name  is  closely  identified  with  the  early  history  of  this  place.  The  other 
tannery  stood  upon  the  lot  at  the  southeast  corner  of  Aurora  and  Buffalo  streets 
and  was  owned  by  Comfort  Butler,  by  whom  the  house  now  occupied  by  Alex- 
ander King  was  built  in  1817.  The  late  Joseph  Esty,  who  had  for  sometime  pre- 
vious been  employed  as  foreman  of  the  tannery  of  the  Messrs.  Patty,  of  Auburn, 
learning  that  the  Butler  tannery  could  be  rented,  gathered  the  small  earnings  ac- 
cruing from  the  salary  of  $300  a  year,  which  was  large,  however,  for  those 
times,  and  borrowing  the  sum  of  $1000  beside,  came  to  Ithaca  and  commenced 
business  on  his  own  account.  From  this  humble  beginning  has  grown  in  due 
time  the  large  and  nourishing  enterprise  now  conducted  by  Edward  S.  Esty,  eld- 
est son  of  Joseph  Esty,  and  Albert  H.,  and  Clarence  H.,  sons  of  E.  S.  Esty. 
When  Joseph  Esty  first  established  himself  here  there  were  in  Tompkins  Coun- 
ty some  twenty-four  or  twenty-five  tanneries,  but  the  only  hides  used  were  those 
of  the  domestic  animals  of  the  county,  unless  perchance  a  trip  to  Albany  was 
made  by  some  enterprising  farmer  who  had  wheat  to  sell,  when  a  small  quantity 
of  Spanish  hides,  as  any  foreign  hides  were  then  called,  were  brought  back  as 
the  return  load.  Within  a  few  years  thereafter  Mr.  Esty  purchased  of  Simeon 
DeWitt  the  premises  at  the  corner  of  Tioga  and  Green  streets,  now  occupied 
by  the  planing  mill  of  George  Small,  and  removed  his  business  to  that  site.  In 
the  great  fire  of  1871  the  buildings  were  entirely  destroyed,  and  the  business 


\iS 

which  was  under  full  headway  at   the  time  received  a   temporary   check.     In  a 
short  time,  however,  the  works  were  rebuilt  on  a  much  larger  scale  on  their  pres- 
ent site  in  the  southwestern  part  of  the  village.     The  present  Ithaca  tannery  pos- 
sesses all  of  the  improvements  known  to  the  trade,  including  the  novelty  of  a  cir- 
cular  railroad.     The  capacity  of  the  works  is    50,000  sides  of   sole  leather  each 
year.     The  firm  of  E.  S.  Esty  &  Sons  also  owns    two  other  tanneries  of  the  same 
capacity,  which   are   located   at  Candor  and  Catatonk  in    Tioga    County.     The 
leather  from  all  of   these  tanneries   bears  the    trade    mark  "Humboldt,"  and   is 
mainly  sold    in  Boston,  Mass.     Long   experience  in  the   business,  however,  has 
made  them  familiar  with  the   markets  of  the  world   and  they  avail  themselves  of 
this  knowledge   in  the  purchase  of  hides  as   well    as  the  sale  of  the   products  of 
their    factories.     It  is  a  curious  fact  that  in  these   extensive  tanneries  are   to  be 
found  the  skins  of  animals  from    nearly  every  part  of  the   globe  (except  Tewks- 
bury.)     The  question  is  sometimes  asked  "why  not  use  the  hides  of  our  own  do- 
mestic cattle,  or  those   of  Europe?1'     The   answer  is  that   these  animals   are  too 
well  fed,  and  the  improvement  in    stock  of  late  years  has  caused   the  deposition 
of  a   large  amount  of  the  fatty   elements  in  the   hides.     This    together   with   the 
shelter  of  our  domestic  animals  in  sheds  and  barns  in  the  winter,  renders  their 
hides  thin  and  tender  and  adapted  only  for  harness  and  "upper"  leather  purposes. 
There  is  no  product  of  this  place  or    immediate    vicinity,  which    enters  into  the 
manufactures  of  these  tanneries,  except  labor.     The  bark  comes  largely  from  the 
forests  of  Pennsylvania,  and  Southern  New  York, and  as  has  been  stated  the  hide 
supply  is  drawn  from  all  parts  of  the  world.       As  showing  how  greatly  the   tan- 
nery interests  represented  by  E.  S.  Esty  and  Sons    exceed  in  dimensions  those  of 
the  early  days  of   this  vicinity,    it  may  be  stated  that  their  works  located  on  the 
Cayuga  inlet  in  Ithaca,  annually  produce  more  leather  than  the  whole  twenty-five 
tanneries  of  Tompkins  County  of   fifty  years  ago  could   by    the    processes    then 
known  to  the  trade  have  produced  in  three  years.      While   for   many  years  Ed 
ward  S.  Esty  has  given  to  the  business  established  by  his  father,    and   so  largely 
developed  by  himself  and  sons,  the  greater  share  of  his  energy  and  thoughtful  at- 
tention, he  has  still  found  opportunity,  and  great  satisfaction  as  well,  in    matters 
pertaining  to  the  general  well  being  of  the  trade  in  which  he  has  so  greatly   suc- 
ceeded, to  his  native  village,  among  whose  honored  and  highly  respected  citizens 
he  is  a  leader,  and  in  the  State,  to  whose  highest  legislative  councils  he  has  late- 
ly been  called  by  an  election  to  the  Senate  from  this,    the    26th  '  district.       As  a 
citizen  of  Ithace  he  has  held,  and  still  occupies,  many  important  positions.      He 
was  the  first  chief  engineer  of  the  fire  department  in  its  present  form,  and  framed 
the  laws  by  which  it  is  governed.     He  was  one  of  the  incorporators  of   the    First 
National    Bank,    and  now  is  vice  president  of  this  flourishing  financial  concern. 
He  was  trustee  and  treasurer  of  ihe  old  academy,  and  has  been  for  years  a  trustee 
of  the  Cornell  Library,  and  President  of  the  Board  of  Education  since  the  estab- 
lishment of  the  present  graded  school  system.    The  recent  adoption  of  Mr.  Esty's 
suggestion  in    relation  to  the    building  of  a  new  high    school  edifice  at  a  cost  of 
$50,000  is  a  timely   illustration  of  his  liberal  and  progressive  ideas  in  connection 
with  educational  affairs.     Mr.  Esty  will  not  enter  the  Senate  an  entire  stranger  to 
the  legislative  halls,  as  in  1858  he  represented  Tompkins  County  in   the  Assem- 
bly.    For  years  he  had  taken  no  active  part  in  politics,  and   his    nomination  for 


\02.  UttkCN   KUD    US 

the  senatorship  from  this  district  came  all  unsought  and  unexpectedly.  His 
election  was  a  fitting  testimonial  of  the  high  regard  in  which  the  gentleman  is 
held,  and  his  career  in  the  Senate  will  amply  prove  the  wisdom  of  his  selection 
to  fill  this  important  position,  as  it  will  give  better  scope  than  ever  for  the  exer- 
cise of  his  ripened  experience,  and  sound  practi-cal  judgment. 

THE  ITMSC!  SIGN  WORKS. 

Within  the  last  decade  advertising  in  all  its  different  forms  has  increased 
very  largely,  and  especially  is  this  noticeable  in  driving  through  the  country. 
On  nearly  every  fence  or  barn  or  tree  is  tacked  a  board  sign  calling  attention  to 
this  or  to  that  remedy,  or  the  different  stores  in  the  towns  near  by.  Very  many 
of  these  signs  are  made  in  Ithaca,  and  their  manufacture  forms  quite  an  industry. 
The  third  floor  of  Small's  planing  mill  building,  at  the  corner  of  Green  and  Tio. 
ga  streets,  is  occupied  by  the  Ithaca  Sign  Works,  of  which  Stanford  &  Co.  are 
the  proprietors.  Here  a  number  of  men,  boys  and  girls  are  employed  in  paint- 
ing, printing  and  finishing  these  sign  boards  and  other  advertising  novelties, 
which  are  shipped  to  every  State  and  Territory  in  the  Union.  Besides  the  rooms 
in  this  building,  a  room  in  another  building  is  occupied  for  the  painting  of  the 
large  picture  signs  on  gum  cloth,  in  which  a  considerable  business  is  done,  and 
three  or  four  people  are  also  employed  outside  in  finishing  up  some  of  the  work. 
Three  men  are  employed  in  traveling  throughout  the  country  and  soliciting  orders 
for  the  products  of  the  establishment,  which  embrace  board,  tin  and  cloth  ad" 
vertising  signs,  advertising  novelties,  such  as  yard  sticks,  match  safes,  knife 
sharpeners  and  picture  signs  of  every  description,  both  humorous  and  otherwise, 
which  are  all  made  to  order.  The  gentlemen  composing  the  firm  of  Stanford 
and  Company  are  practical  men,  and  have  evidently  reduced  the  business  to  a 
system.  The  best  advertisers  in  the  country  are  numbered  among  their  patrons, 
and  the  concern  is  probably  the  largest  of  its  kind  in  the  country. 

ITHfiCS  TELEPHONE  SERVICE. 

It  is  not  within  the  province  of  this  sketch  to  follow  in  detail  the  gradual  de- 
velopment of  the  telephone  system  in  Ithaca.  It  must  suffice  concerning  the  ear- 
lier history  of  the  service  to  note  that  the  early  experiments  of  Prof.  W.  A.  Anthony, 
of  the  University, resulted  in  due  time  in  the  formation  of  a  company  for  the  prac- 
tical conduct  and  extension  of  the  system.  Among  the  gentlemen  most  promi- 
nently associated  with  Prof.  Anthony  in  this  enterprise  was  Captain  W.  O. 
Wyckoff.  The  business  was  put  successfully  into  operation  under  the  direction 
of  these  gentlemen  and  remained  under  their  management  until  January  ist,  of 
the  present  year,  when  it  was  purchased  by  the  New  York  &  Pennsylvania  Tele- 
phone &  Telegraph  Company.  By  this  change  in  ownership  the  telephone  ser- 
vice of  this  place  has  during  the  year  been  relieved  of  its  purely  local  and  some- 
what amateurish  aspect  a^nd  has  become  an  important  link  in  the  great  system  now 
extending  through  seventeen  counties  of  this  State  and  Pennsylvania,  which  has 
been  developed  through  the  capital  and  enterprise  of  this  company.  The  territory 
at  present  occupied  by  the  New  York  &  Pennsylvania  Telephone  &  Telegraph 
Co.  embraces  the  entire  northern  tier  of  counties  of  Pennsylvania,  save 
Wayne,  at  the  extreme  eaastern  side  of  the  State,  and  the  whole  southern  tier  of 


\1S 

New  York,  with  two  of  the  counties  ot  the  second  tier.  This  district  contains 
now  more  than  4,200  miles  of  telephone  wire,  and  3,700  complete  sets  of  instru- 
ments,and  telephone  facilities  are  thus  afforded  to  a  population  of  900,000  people. 
The  value  of  the  system  is  constantly  being  increased  by  the  extension  of  direct 
lines  to  important  points  and  the  adoption  of  all  the  best  improvements  in  the  art 
as  they  become  known.  With  the  change  of  ownership  of  the  telephone  service 
in  Ithaca  have  come  other  important  modifications  and  improvements.  The  ex- 
change has  been  removed  from  its  lofty  location  in  the  Rumsey  Block  to  a  more 
eligible  site  in  the  Morrison  Block  ;  in  place  of  the  old  time  and  unsatisfactory 
switch  board  the  handsome  and  admirable  Williams  improved  switch  board  has 
been  put  into  the  exchange  ;  the  wires  have  been  taken  from  the  house-tops  and 
placed  upon  fine  poles;  and  the  conduct  of  the  business  here  has  been  placed 
in  the  hands  of  a  practical  electrician  and  telephone  manager,  and  courteous  gen- 
tleman, in  the  person  of  Mr.  James  W.  Gillespie,  formerly  of  Scranton,  Pa.  Mr. 
Gillespie's  assumption  of  the  management  of  the  telephone  service  in  Ithaca  dated 
October  ist.  Already  the  beneficial  effects  upon  the  service  resulting  from  the  ef- 
forts of  a  capable,  experienced  manager  are  apparent.  New  confidence  has  been 
inspired  in  the  public,  not  a  few  new  subscribers  have  been  secured,  and  in  many 
ways  the  value  of  the  system  has  been  much  augmented.  In  the  whole  territory 
occupied  by  the  New  York  &  Pennsylvania  Telephone  £  Telegraph  Company  this 
village  is  the  only  one  in  which  hand  telephones  are  still  in  use.  By  January  ist, 
1884,  they  will  have  entirely  disappeared  from  use  here  as  well.  This  fact,  to- 
gether with  the  improvement  in  the  conduct  of  the  exchange,  in  the  matter  of 
prompt  response  to  calls,  and  in  all  other  possible  ways,  will  fully  make  up  in 
the  added  efficiency  of  the  service  the  increased  yearly  rental  which  is  now  re- 
quired. In  this  connection  it  may  be  said  that  in  no  other  place  in  the  United 
States  of  equal  size  are  the  same  facilities,  namely,  a  full  set  of  instru- 
ments and  communication  by  a  direct  line,  provided  as  cheaply  as  in  Ithaca. 
There  are  now  148  subscribers  to  the  telephone  system  here,  and  from  400  to  600 
calls  are  responded  to  daily  at  the  exchange.  It  may  be  confidently  predicted  that 
in  the  hands  of  so  efficient  and  wide  awake  a  gentleman  as  Manager  Gillespie  the 
interests  of  his  employers  will  be  well  cared  for,  and  the  rights  and  conveniences 
of  the  public  will  be  equally  and  thoroughly  observed. 

WILLIAM  M.  CULYER, 

The  business  career  of  this  long  established  and  successful  merchant  began 
in  Massilon,  Ohio,  in  1841,  where  at  the  age  of  21  he  entered  upon  the  manuiac- 
turing  and  sale  of  hats  and  the  handling  of  furs.  Eight  years  later  he  returned 
to  Ithaca,  and  opened  a  store  at  the  corner  of  Cayuga  and  State  streets,  in  the 
building  now  occupied  by  Crozier  &  Feeley.  He  next  removed  to  a  store  in  the 
Stannard  Block,  which  occupied  the  site  of  the  present  store  of  R.  A.  Heggie. 
Then  his  business  was  transferred  two  years  later  to  the  Krum  building  at  the 
corner  of  State  and  Tioga  streets.  His  next  move  was  to  purchase  the  stock  in 
the  store  of  J.  S.  Tichenor,  which  was  then  in  the  building  on  East  State  street, 
now  occupied  by  S.  Harrison.  At  the  same  time  Mr.  Culver  bought  Tichenor's  hat 
manufactory  which  then  stood  on  the  bank  of  Six  Mile  Creek,  where  Sheldon  &; 


Bliven's  livery  stable  is  now  situated.  This  building  and  its  contents  were  carried 
away  by  the  great  flood  of  1857.  The  business  of  manufacturing  hats  was  never 
resumed  after  this  disaster.  Giving  his  entire  attention  to  the  retail  sale  of  hats 
and  fur  goods,  thereafter,  Mr.  Culver  succeeded  in  building  up  a  good  trade  and 
in  time  was  able  to  repair  the  damage  done  by  the  flood.  About  1865  he  purchased 
the  store  building  at  64  East  State  street,  which  he  took  possession  of  a  few 
months  later  and  has  occupied  up  to  the  present  time.  Mr.  Culver  is  one  of  the 
reliable,  conservative  business  men  of  Ithaca.  His  success  has  been  achieved  by 
unremitting  industry,  prudence  and  honorable  dealing,  through  a  long  term  of 
years. 

SHEPHERD  &  DOYLE. 

In  the  early  history  of  any  community  its  stores  are  few  and  they  contain  an 
assortment  of  goods  of  all  kinds  so  that  the  various  wants  of  all  may  be  supplied 
at  one  place,  With  the  growth  and  development  of  the  village,  the  era  of  "coun- 
try stores"  passes  away,  and  as  the  place  takes  on  more  and  more  the  character 
of  a  city,  specialty  stores  are  established  in  which  the  sale  of  a  certain  limited  line 
of  goods  is  conducted.  During  the  last  few  years  several  such  stores  have  been 
established  here.  Among  them  is  the  ladies'  and  gentlemen's  furnishing  goods 
business  of  Shepherd  &  Doyle  occupying  a  handsome  store  at  58  East  State  street. 
This  partnership  was  formed  in  the  spring  of  1880  and  a  store  was  taken  at  9  North 
Tioga  street.  A  good  trade  was  soon  built  up  in  this  place,  but  after  a  time  the 
firm  became  desirous  of  securing  a  location  on  the  main  street.  The  store  at  58 
East  State  street  became  vacant,  and  after  it  had  been  modernized  with  a  fine  plate 
glass  front,  and  other  improvements,  was  taken  possession  of  by  this  thriving 
young  firm  in  the  spring  of  1882.  The  stock  was  increased  and  improved  and 
the  business  took  a  new  impetus.  It  has  prospered  well  since,  the  store  having 
become  the  recognized  headquarters  for  gentlemen's  furnishing  goods  in  great  va- 
riety of  cost  and  make,  as  well  as  for  many  articles  of  feminine  wear,  a  specialty 
being  made  of  corsets.  The  display  of  this  class  of  goods  made  by  the  firm  at 
the  late  fair  of  the  County  Agricultural  Society  attracted  much  attention  on  ac- 
count of  its  extent  and  the  large  variety  of  makes  shown. 

POST,  SHflRP  &.  CO. 

With  our  more  rapid  strides  in  the  march  of  progress  comes  an  increasing 
demand  for  novelty.  This  demand  for  novelty  is  not  confined  to  any  one  partic- 
ular branch  of  business,  but  extends  into  every  line  of  industry.  A  nation  less 
blessed  in  resources  could  not  possibly  fill  this  demand,  but  what  is  beyond  the 
possibilities  of  American  ingenuity  is  as  yet  unlearned.  Especially  in  the  way 
of  wheeled  vehicles  for  both  business  and  pleasure  driving,  has  this  demand  for 
novelty  been  felt  within  the  last  year  or  two,  and  manufacturers  have  been  com- 
pelled to  exercise  their  ingenuity  to  the  utmost  to  keep  pace  with  the  demand. 
The  manufactory  of  four  wheeled  vehicles  having  been  reduced  to  such  a  system 
that  the  limits  of  perfection  and  accuracy  have  been  almost  reached,  with  the 
restlessness  and  unsatisfiableness  peculiar  to  the  American  people  comes  that 
unceasing  demand  for  something  new,  and  the  attention  of  manufacturers  has 
consequently  been  turned  to  two-wheelers  as  being  possibly  the  only  field  that 


that  promises  to  satisfy,  for  the  present,  this  craving  for  novelty.  But  here 
comes  a  point  upon  which  most  of  them  have  been  impaled.  The  English  village 
cart  has  been  a  favorite  vehicle  with  fashionable  people  in  England  for  many 
years,  no  English  establishment  being  complete  without  it,  and  the  village  cart 
naturally  found  its  way  to  this  country,  as  "society"  here  must  have  that  which 
is  pronounced  fashionable  there.  But  the  English  village  cart  is  far  from  being 
a  pleasant  vehicle  in  which  to  ride,  the  swinging,  jolting  motion  given  to  it  by 
the  horse  being,  in  fact,  decidedly  disagreeable,  while  unless  a  horse  of  just  the 
the  proper  size  is  hitched  to  it,  the  cart  is  either  tipped  up  behind  and  down  in 
front,  or  vice  versa,  in  either  case  the  position  of  the  occupant  being  an  uncom- 
fortable one,  and  the  drive  proving  anything  but  pleasurable.  Like  in  the 
wearing  of  high-heeled  and  tight  fitting  shoes,  however,  the  devotees  of  fashion 
would  have  them,  and  as  the  village  cart  is  principally  designed  for  ladies  and 
children,  the  road  cart,  in  all  its  various  shapes  was  constructed  to  supply  the 
wants  of  gentlemen.  But  this  same  trouble  was  experienced  with  all  "two- 
wheelers,"  village  or  road  carts,  and  the  swinging,  jolting  motion  given  to  them 
by  the  horse,  and  the  difficulty  of  fitting  them  to  large  and  small  horses,  was  the 
point  upon  which  manufacturers  were  impaled  as  it  were — the  objection  which 
they  were  unable  to  satisfactorily  overcome,  while  their  road  carts. also,  present- 
ed too  much  the  appearance  of  a  sulky.  And  while  a  limited  number  of  village 
and  road  carts  were  produced,  to  meet  the  demands  of  the  extremists  of  fashion, 
it  was  quickly  discovered  by  manufacturers  that  unless  they  could  successfully 
obviate  these  difficulties,  two-wheelers,  although  they  might  become  fashionable, 
would  never  attain  popularity  and  come  into  general  use.  Manufacturers  in  all 
parts  of  the  country  have  attempted  the  solution  of  this  problem,  as  this  demand 
for  novelty  became  more  painfully  apparent,  but  the  only  really  successful  solv- 
ers as  yet  are  the  Ithaca  firm  of  Post,  Sharp  &  Co.,  and  they  have  so  fully  over- 
come these  objections  and  covered  every  possible  and  feasible  point  of  improve, 
ment  with  letters  patent,  that  it  is  doubtful  whether  any  of  the  manufacturers  will 
continue  their  attempts,  as  the  solution  can  hardly  be  found  without  infringing 
on  their  patents.  Injhe  Ithaca  Road  and  Village  Carts,  that  swinging,  jolting 
motion,  so  commonly  experienced  in  two-wheelers,  is  entireiy  overcome,  while 
the  greatest  point  of  improvement  is  probably  in  the  adjustable  shafts,  whereby  a 
road  or  village  cart  can  in  five  minutes  time,  without  necessitating  any  change  in 
harness,  be  abjusted  to  fit  the  largest  horse  or  smallest  pony,  so  that  the  body  of 
the  cart  sets  perfectly  level.  No  road  or  village  cart  is  perfect  unless  it  can  be 
so  adjusted  and  changed  at  will,  and  it  it  is  obvious  that  the  only  proper  place 
where  such  change  can  be  made  is  in  the  shafts.  The  device  used  in  the  Ithaca 
Road  and  Village  Cart  consists  of  a  thill  provided  intermediately  of  its  length 
with  a  vertically  deflecting  joint  and  a  clamping  device  for  retaining  said  joint  in 
its  requisite  angle.  It  is  simple,  yet  strong  and  durable.  The  body  is  set  on  a 
platform  spring,  made  expressly  for  these  carts,  and  hung  on  these  finely  ad- 
justed springs  and  perfectly  balanced,  its  motion  is  as  easy  as  that  of  the  finest 
riding  four  wheeled  vehicles.  The  road  carts  are  built  with  White  Chapel,  Corn- 
ing and  Piano  bodies,  and  do  not  in  the  least  present  the  appearance  of  a  sulky, 
or  possess  the  disagreeable  features  and  peculiarities  of  that  vehicle;  but  are  a 


V\S   ^SOURCtS.  \0t 

light,  stylish,  easy  riding,  two-wheeled  vehicle  of  good  proportions,  strong,  well 
made  and  finely  finished.  The  favor  with  which  the  Ithaca  Road  and  Village 
Carts  have  been  received  is  unprecedented,  and  in  overcoming  the  difficulties 
which  formerly  prevented  two-wheelers  coming  into  general  use.  Post,  Sharp  & 
Co.  have  evidently  paved  their  way  for  a  brilliant  and  successful  career.  The 
history  of  this  concern  is  a  brief  one,  for  it  has  only  been  in  existence  a  short 
time.  On  the  3d  day  of  January,  1882,  the  copartnership  of  Post  &  Sharp  was 
formed  for  the  purpose* of  manufacturing  the  Ithaca  Plow  Sulky.  The  building 
standing  on  the  old  Fair  Grounds,  near  the  Ithaca  Calendar  Clock  Company's 
works,  was  secured,  and  the  work  of  building  plow  sulkies  begun  with  a  force  of 
eight  workmen.  The  plow  sulkies  possess  many  features  of  superiority  over 
those  of  other  patents,  and  their  manufacture  was  continued  throughout  the  year 
with  much  success.  But  having  obtained  patents  for  the  features  which  make  the 
coming  into  general  use  of  road  and  village  carts  not  only  possible,  but  more 
than  probable,  in  the  latter  part  of  the  year  (December)  they  commenced  making 
preparations  for  building  the  light  and  tasty  two-wheelers  which  have  since  met 
with  such  great  success.  On  the  5th  day  of  January,  1883,  Mr.  N.  S  Johnson 
became  a  member  of  this  copartnership,  the  title  of  the  firm  was  changed  to  Post, 
Sharp  &  Co.,  and  the  work  of  building  road  and  village  carts  and  skeleton  wagons, 
the  peculiar  features  of  which  are  all  covered  by  letters  patent,  was  begun.  The 
working  force  was  increased  to  thirty  employes, a  systematic  method  of  building  the 
vehicles  was  introduced,  and  in  a  month  a  number  were  handsomely  finished  and 
placed  upon  the  market.  Success  was  instantaneous,  the  Ithaca  Road  and  Vil- 
lage Carts  jumped  into  popularity  immediately  and  the  demand  was  greater  than 
the  supply.  And  this  demand  has  not  only  continued  throughout  the  year,  but 
gives  promise  of  a  steady  and  still  greater  increase  as  the  vehicles  are  more  fully 
introduced  and  their  merits  become  understood.  Several  styles  of  the  Ithaca 
Road  Cart,  with  or  without  tops  to  suit  the  needs  and  tastes  of  all,  are  manufac- 
tuied.  which  have  the  same  room,  the  same  style  of  bodies,  the  same  ease  and 
comfort  that  there  is  in  the  finest  riding  side-bar  or  end-spring  buggy.  Making 
a  specialty  of  the  two  wheelers  they  have  perfected,  and  their  factory  being 
especially  equipped  for  this  branch  of  business,  Post,  Sharp  &  Co.  have  every 
advantage  over  their  competitors  and  will  undoubtedly  be  the  leaders  in  this  in- 
dustry. The  main  building  of  their  factory  is  50x100  feet  in  dimensions,  four 
floors,  and  the  blacksmith  shop  is  30x50  feet.  Both  buildings  are  thoroughly 
equipped  with  improved  labor-saving  iron  and  wood-working  machine^,  driven 
by  an  engine  of  35  horse  power.  Adjoining  the  works  is  the  lumber  yard,  with 
sheds  for  storage,  and  here  is  a  52-inch  circular  saw  for  sawing  out  the  heavy 
lumber.  Of  the  main  building  are  saws,  planers,  &c.,  for  working  out  the  many 
pieces  entering  into  the  construction  of  these  vehicles,  and  in  the  rear  of  this  de- 
partment is  the  packing  and  shipping  room.  The  second  floor  occupied  by  the 
wood-finishing,  gear  and  body  painting  (finishing),  and  upholstering  departments. 
The  third  floor  is  devoted  to  the  storage  of  bodies  for  hardening  and  the  fourth 
floor  is  occupied  by  the  rough  painting  and  rubbing-in  departments.  An  ex- 
cellent hoisting  apparatus  makes  this  arrangement  of  the  building  as  convenient 
as  could  be  desired.  The  blacksmith  shop  is  equipped  with  drop  hammers,  die 


Y\S 


presses,  &c.,  and  the  most  skilled  workers  in  iron,  wood  and  painting  are  em- 
ployed. With  the  aid  of  the  machinery  and  the  systematic  method  adopted, 
the  vehicles  are  rapidly  produced  and  finished  in  the  most  highly  sat- 
isfactory manner.  The  production  for  this  their  first  year  will  be  about  700 
Road  and  Village  Carts  and  Skeleton  Wagons,  with  the  prospects  favorable  for 
doubling  this  production  next  year.  Individually,  the  members  of  the  firm  are 
gentlemen  peculiarly  well  fitted  for  making  the  business  a  success.  Mr.  C.  C. 
Post  is  a  capitalist,  formerly  of  Geneva,  and  well  known  as  a  young  gentleman 
of  enterprise,  shrewdness  and  ability.  Mr.  D.  P.  Sharp'is  a  practical  man  un- 
derstanding the  detail  of  manufacturing,  and  in  superintending  the  mechanical 
department  gives  assurance  of  good  workmanship.  Mr.  N.  S.  Johnson,  by  rea- 
son of  his  large  experience  in  the  wagon  business  in  the  east  and  west,  is  one 
whose  ability  is  recognized  by  the  trade,  and  will  do  much  towards  making  the 
firm's  popularity  as  great  as  the  merit  of  their  products  deserve.  They  are  cer- 
tainly starting  under  the  most  auspicious  circumstances,  und  as  the  policy  of 
using  only  the  best  material  and  employing  best  workmen  in  the  production  of 
their  vehicles  is  being  carrried  out  almost  to  the  extreme,  there  can  be  no  doubt 
as  to  their  future  and  still  greater  success.  The  industry  is  one  that  can  be  de- 
veloped into  a  large  labor  employing  concern  of  great  value  to  Ithaca,  and  these 
gentlemen  are  undoubtedly  on  the  right  way  to  accomplish  that  result. 

GEORGE  GRIFFIN. 

Undoubtedly  the  leading  merchant  tailor  of  Ithaca  is  George  Griffin,  whose 
fine  store  situated  in  the  Masonic  Block,  North  Tioga  street,  is  a  credit  to  the 
place.  The  business  of  which  Mr.  Griffin  is  the  enterprising  and  successful  pro- 
prietor was  founded  many  years  ago  by  General  Charles  F.  Blood.  In  1873  the 
business  was  removed  from  a  small  store  on  East  State  street  to  its  present  fine 
quarters.  Mr.  Griffin's  connection  with  the  establishment  began  shortly  prior  to 
that  time.  In  1882  Gen.  Blood  withdrew  from  the  business,  Mr.  Griffin  purchas- 
ing the  stock  and  good  will.  The  excellent  patronage  formerly  enjoyed  by  this 
fine  store  has  been  fully  maintained  under  Mr.  Griffin's  direction.  A  very  large 
and  fine  stock  of  cloths  is  carried,  first-class  cutters  and  tailors  are  employed,  and 
the  work  of  the  establishment  will  compare  favorably  with  the  best  work  of  metro- 
politan tailors. 

ENZ  &.  MILLER. 

Among  the  important  commercial  enterprises  of  Ithaca,  which  have  had  their 
rise  and  growth  during  the  present  decade,  one  of  the  leading  is  the  wholesale 
paper  and  stationery  business  of  Messrs.  Enz  &  Miller,  located  in  the  Titus 
Block.  The  members  of  this  firm  for  a  considerable  time  were  in  the  employ  of 
the  late  firm  of  Andrus  &  McChain.  In  June,  1878,  with  a  moderate  capital,  but 
plenty  of  business  experience,  a  wide  commercial  acquaintance,  and  a  large 
amount  of  push  and  business  acumen,  the  members  of  this  firm,  viz.:  Frank  J. 
Enz  and  Thomas  G.  Miller,  opened  a  store  at  No.  20  North  Aurora  street.  The}' 
met  with  success  from  the  beginning  and  rapidly  increased  their  lines,  as  their 
volume  of  trade  increased.  In  the  spring  of  1880,  finding  their  store  in  Aurora 
street  too  contracted,  they  removed  to  their  present  large  and  conveniently  lo- 


cated  store  in  the  Titus  Block.  Success  has  continued  to  attend  the  steps  of 
this  enterprising  firm,  their  business  having  tripled  since  their  removal  to  their 
State  street  quarters.  The  stock  carried  is  very  large  and  complete  in  all  re- 
spects, and  the  reputation  of  the  firm  for  strict  integrity  and  reliability  is  widely 
known  throughout  this  section  of  the  state.  The  rapid  growth  of  their  business 
is  the  natural  result  of  the  fitness  for  the  work  of  its  proprietors,  the  demand 
which  existed  here  for  such  an  establishment  and  the  intelligent  manner  in 
which  it  has  been  conducted  from  the  outset.  Further  and  larger  commercial 
prosperity  is  plainly  before  this  admirably  equipped  business  house. 

SCKLEY'S  NEWS  ROOM. 

This  business  was  established  in  1850  by  Julius  Ackley,  one  of  the  best 
known  earlier  residents  of  the  place.  This  news  room  was  the  first  business 
of  the  kind  established  in  Ithaca  and  was  originally  in  the  old  post  office  build- 
ing which  stood  on  the  site  of  the  Vant  Block  on  North  Tioga  street.  At  the 
death  of  the  original  proprietor  the  business  passed  into  the  hands  of  his  daugh- 
ter, Miss  Cornelia  Ackley,  and  has  continued  in  her  hands  to  the  present  time. 
When  the  post  office  was  removed  in  1882  from  the  Library  Building  to  its  pres- 
ent location  on  State  street,  a  fine  store  three  doors  east  of  the  post  office  was 
leased  by  Miss  Ackley,  and  her  business  was  transferred  from  the  small  frame 
building  adjoining  the  County  Clerk's  office  to  its  present  commodious  quarters, 
No.  19  East  State  street.  A  fine  line  of  stationery  and  fancy  goods  has  been  add- 
to  the  former  stock.  A  full  line  of  stereoscopic  views  of  Cornell  University,  and 
of  the  romantic  scenery  of  Ithaca  and  vicinity  is  kept  constantly  by  Miss  Ackley, 
and  orders  by  mail  are  promptly  supplied  in  all  cases.  The  business  is  in  all 
respects  the  leading  one  of  its  kind  in  this  vicinity. 

THE  BOSTON  YSRIETY  STORE. 

This  successful  and  growing  business  was  removed  from  the  neighboring  city 
of  Binghamton  in  April,  1882.  At  that  time  it  was  in  the  hands  of  M.  H.  &  E. 
Wolff.  Several  months  later  the  business  passed  into  the  hands  of  Jacob  Roths- 
child, the  courteous  and  enterprising  manager  for  the  Messrs.  Wolff.  Under  the 
proprietorship  of  Mr.  Rothschild  the  stock  has  been  largely  increased,  and  the 
volume  of  trade  has  grown  continuously.  The  business  occupies  the  basement 
and  ground  floor  of  the  Smith  block,  at  the  northwest  corner  of  State  and  Aurora 
streets.  The  fine  store  is  a  perfect  museum  in  its  endless  variety  of  articles  for 
personal  and  house  service  and  ornamentation.  The  stock  includes  a  large  line 
of  ladies' and  gentlemen's  furnishing  goods,  china,  crockery,  glass,  tin  and  wood- 
en ware,  bird  cages,  pictures,  toys,  lamps,  cutlery,  and  a  host  of  novelties  of  all 
kinds.  This  store  justly  ranks  as  one  of  the  most  interesting  and  successful  new- 
er ventures  of  the  place. 

MRS.  L  K.  BURRITT. 

In  1867  Mrs.  L.  A.  Burritt  opened  at  24  East  State  street  what  was  for  several 
years  known  as  the  ''Thread  and  Needle  store".  The  business  conducted  at  the 
outset  was,  as  may  be  imagined,  of  a  small  and  modest  character,  but  its  proprie- 
tor possessed  in  large  measure,  as  the  sequel  has  shown,  the  requisites  of  business 


\\0  •  Y\  \\NCN   KUtt   Y\S 

success,  namely,  shrewdness,  industry  and  enterprise  In  1870  trade  had  suffi- 
ciently increased  to  warrant  the  renting  of  a  larger  and  better  store,  and  the  place 
of  business  at  30  E.  State  street,  now  occupied,  was  taken  possession  of.  The 
stock  in  trade  was  increased  by  the  addition  of  millinery,  ladies'  and  childrens' 
wear,  fane}'  goods,  and  embroidery,  and  business  continued  to  grow  each 
.year  until  Mrs.  Burritt's  establishment  has  come  to  be  one  of  the  most 
richly  stocked  and  prosperous  millinery  and  fancy  goods  houses  of  this 
vicinity.  She  has  only  recently  returned  from  a  business  and  pleasure  trip  to 
Europe,  where  considerable  purchases  of  fine  French  hats  and  fancy  goods  were 
made  in  Paris.  Other  additions  to  her  fine  stock  were  purchased  in  New  York, 
and  Mrs.  Burritt  is  once  more  to  be  found  in  her  handsome  store,  refreshed  by 
travel,  and  with  much  larger  and  better  facilities  for  supplying  the  varied  wants 
of  the  feminine  public  than  ever  before. 

1  RECORD  OF  FIFTY  YESRS. 

In  1832  an  office  for  the  practice  of  dentistry  was  opened  on  Seneca  street  in 
this  village  by  two  gentlemen  under  the  associated  style  of  Miles  &  Dunning. 
This  firm  enjoyed  a  respectable  patronage  for  that  time,  and  put  into  practice  no 
little  skill  and  as  much  knowledge  of  the  art  as  was  available  at  that  compara- 
tively early  period  in  the  history  of  modern  dentistry.  In  course  of  time  the 
firm  became  Mile^  &  Bartlett,  and  an  office  was  opened  in  the  Clinton  Block. 
At  a  later  date,  or  to  speak  more  definitely,  in  January,  1858,  the  firm  of  Bartlett 
&  Hoysradt  was  formed  and  the  office  in  the  Clinton  Block  was  continued. 
Much  time  was  passed  in  the  metropolis,  alternately,  by  each  member  of  the 
firm,  as  each  was  desirous  of  securing  all  the  information  obtainable  regarding 
the  newer  and  advanced  methods  of  practice.  In  1859  Dr.  G.  W.  Hoysradt  suc- 
ceeded to  the  full  control  of  the  business,  and  entered  upon  a  prosperous  career 
which  has  gone  steadily  on  to  the  present  time.  The  quarters  in  the  Clinton 
Block  were  retained  until  1871,  when  the  elegant  residence  and  offices,  now  oc- 
cupied by  Dr.  Hoysradt,  having  been  completed,  were  taken  possession  of  by 
him.  The  early  thorough  training  and  metropolitan  experience  of  Dr.  Hoys- 
radt, added  to  rare  natural  qualifications,  soon  gave  him  a  richly  deserved 
reputation  as  an  exceedingly  skillful  operator.  With  increasing  patronage  and 
responsibilities  came  no  neglect  in  the  acquirement  of  newer  ideas,  methods  and 
appliances  in  dentistry  and  dental  surgery.  All  that  was  desirable  in  the  ad- 
vancing stages  of  the  profession  was  seized  upon  and  embodied  in  the  Doctor's 
practice,  and  his  attractive  parlors  have  in  consequence  been  visited,  and  his 
skilled  services  put  into  requisition,  by  not  only  our  own  citizens  of  the  highest 
classes,  but  by  hundreds  from  surrounding  cities  and  towns,  and  adjoining 
States  as  well.  All  branches  of  the  profession  are  carried  on  by  Dr.  Hoysradt 
and  his  accomplished  assistant  Dr.  Wm.  Hughes,  but  in  the  department  of  filling 
Dr. Hoysradt  has  now  a  reputation  for  skill  and  delicacy  of  manipulation  not  sur- 
passed, if  indeed  it  is  equaled,  by  that  of  any  dental  surgeon  in  this  section  of 
the  State.  All  other  operations  upon  the  natural  teeth,  and  the  introduction  of 
false  teeth  by  the  latest  improved  methods,  are  practiced  at  this  establishment. 
It  is  with  pleasure  that  the  large  success  of  Dr.  Hoysradt  in  his  chosen  profes- 


\\\ 

sion  has  been  dwelt  upon.  His  establishment  is  a  model  of  unobtrusive  ele- 
gance in  ail  its  appointments,  a  decided  ornament  and  credit  to  this  lovely  vil- 
lage, and  himself  without  a  superior  in  the  attributes  of  courteous  gentlemanli- 
ness  and  perfect  adaptedness  to  the  profession  which  he  has  graced  for  a  quar- 
ter of  a  century. 

FINCH  &  SPGfiR. 

The  book  and  stationery  business  located  in  the  fine  brick  building  at  the 
northwest  oorner  of  State  and  Tioga  streets,  conducted  by  Messrs.  D.  F.  Finch 
and  G.  W.  Apgar,  was  established  more  than  fifty  years  ago  by  the  late  D.  D. 
Spencer.  The  business  was  formerly  located  in  a  building  occupying  a  site  di- 
rectly west  of  the  Ithaca  Hotel.  At  the  death  of  the  founder,  his  son,  Spence 
Spencer,  succeeded  to  the  business.  In  1860  it  was  purchased  by  Geo.  W.  Apgar, 
who  in  turn  sold  to  Dudley  F.  Finch.  Mr.  Finch  later  became  associated  with  J. 
B.  Ta}rlor,  and  by  these  gentlemen  the  business  was  transferred  to  its  present  lo- 
cation. The  building  originally  occupied  having  been  destroyed  by  fire,  the  hand- 
some block  now  standing  on  this  site  was  erected  in  1868  and  has  since  continu- 
ously been  occupied  as  a  book  store.  Mr.  Apgar  who  had  been  absent  in  Cort- 
land  and  New  York  returned  to  Ithaca  in  1873  and  opened  a  book  store  in  the 
Hotel  Block.  A  few  months  later  a  second  copartnership  was  formed  by  Messrs. 
Finch  and  Apgar,  and  the  business  for  nine  years  has  gone  on  very  prosperously 
under  their  joint  ownership.  A  large  and  fine  stock  of  books,  University  and 
school  text  books,  mathematical  instruments,  gold  pens,  stationery,  and  wall  pa- 
per is  carried,  and  an  excellent  and  growing  patronage  is  enjoyed.  A  very  com- 
plete book-bindery  is  conducted  in  connection  with  the  store,  and  blank  books 
and  writing  pads  are  also  manufactured  in  considerable  quantities,  two  stories  of 
the  south  store  of  the  new  Cornell-Smith  Block  on  South  Tioga  street  being  oc- 
cupied for  these  purposes.  A  fair  demand  for  this  class  of  goods  has  already  been 
established  in  several  of  the  larger  commercial  centres  of  the  country,  and  the 
prospects  are  good  for  the  building  up  of  an  important  trade  in  this  department. 

ANDREWS  &  SLDRICH. 

The  firm  whose  name  heads  this  article,  though  only  recently  formed,  is  in 
point  of  the  extent  of  business  transacted  under  its  management,  entitled  to  rank 
among  the  leading  mercantile  houses  of  Ithaca.  The  firm  was  organized  in  1881 
and  the  stock  of  the  large  business  which  had  been  for  a  number  of  years  success- 
fully conducted  by  D.  B.  Stewart  in  the  building  now  occupied  by  Andrews  & 
Aldrich,  was  purchased.  Both  members  of  the  firm  brought  into  the  business  a 
considerable  amount  of  experience  and  a  large  stock  of  push,  pluck  and  enter- 
prise. I.  C.  Andrews,  the  senior  member,  had  been  in  the  employ  of  D.  B.  Stew- 
art for  five  years,  and  prior  to  that  time,  for  four  years  had  been  in  charge  of  the 
crockery  and  grocery  department  of  the  large  store  of  H.  L.  Wilgus  and  his  im- 
mediate successors.  Fred  E.  Aldrich  began  business  on  his  own  account  seven 
years  ago  in  McLean,  where  with  C.  R.  Williams  he  operated  a  small  store  for  the 
sale  of  general  merchandise,  under  the  style  of  C.  R.  Williams  &  Co.  Mr.  Will- 
iams' share  in  the  business  was  afterwards  sold  to  E.  E.  Ellis,  of  Etna,  and  the 
business  was  removed  to  that  village.  The  firm  of  Ellis  &  Aldrich  had  a  prosper- 
ous career  for  two  years  when  Mr.  Aldrich  sold  out  his  share  to  his  partner,  and 


US 


removed  to  Ithaca  to  enter  the  partnership  with  I.  C.  Andrews.  The  large  busi- 
ness which  these  young  but  pushing  merchants  succeeded  to,  has  been  constantly 
increased,  and  never  was  more  prosperous  than  at  present.  During  the  past  year 
the  sales  have  been  greater  than  in  any  previous  year  in  the  history  of  the  busi- 
ness done  in  that  store.  The  trade  of  the  firm  extends  into  many  surrounding 
counties  of  this  State,  and  into  Pennsylvania  also.  They  are  manufacturers  of 
several  cheap  brands  of  cigars,  and  of  confectionery  of  excellent  quality  and  to  a 
considerable  extent.  Their  business  as  wholesale  dealers  in  fruit  is  the  most  ex- 
tensive in  the  place,  and  in  addition  they  operate  an  excellent  bakery  and  retail 
groceries  and  provisions  in  large  quantities.  The  business  gives  employment;  to 
about  fifteen  men  and  the  firm's  sales  for  the  year  will  aggregate  $100,000.  This 
is  a  splendid  showing  for  this  young,  and  go-ahead  firm,  and  forms  a  good  illus- 
tration ot  the  old  truism  that  "pluck  makes  luck." 

GEORGE  RflNKIN  &  SON. 

From  a  humble  start  made  many  years  ago,  when  the  highest  demand  in 
the  trade  of  this  locality  was  for  nothing  richer  than  white  china  ornamented 
with  plain  gold  bands,  the  business  of  George  Rankin  &  Son,  at  42  East  State 
street,  has  steadily  grown  and  the  character  of  the  trade  changed  and  improved, 
until  now  the  demand  is  large  for  the  best  imported  china  and  cut  glass  ware, 
fine  bronzes,  and  the  most  elaborate  wares  known  to  the  trade  generally.  A  full 
supply  of  goods  of  this  nature  is  kept  constantly  on  hand  by  them,  or  procured 
from  time  to  time  to  meet  the  growing  higher  taste  of  the  public.  But  before 
dwelling  more  in  detail  upon  the  resources  of  this  well  known  and  very  success- 
ful firm  a  short  sketch  of  its  origin  and  growth  will  not  be  uninteresting.  George 
Rankin  came  in  1856  to  this  village  from  New  York  City,  where  he  had  been  en 
engaged  in  the  crockery  and  glass  ware  trade.  He  quietly  opened  a  small  store 
in  the  Pumpelly  Block  and  proceeded  to  build  up  a  business.  By  honest  deal- 
ing and  close  industry  a  living  patronage  was  soon  secured,  and  later  years 
have  brought  further  prosperity.  In  1869,  his  son  George  S.  Rankin,  who  had 
had  an  excellent  business  training  of  six  years'  duration  with  a  large  New  York 
house  in  the  same  line,  entered  into  the  partnership,  and  through  the  joint  ef- 
forts of  father  and  son  the  volume  of  trade  was  much  increased,  the  stock  was 
enlarged  and  improved  from  time  to  time,  and  the  commercial  prosperity  of  the 
firm  has  continued  to  grow.  Three  years  ago  the  block  in  which  the  store  had 
all  along  been  located  was  finely  remodeled  and  improved.  The  front  was  re- 
built in  the  Queen  Anne  style,  fine  plate  glass  windows  were  made  to  replace 
the  old-time  windows  with  their  small  panes  of  common  glass,  and  the  exterior 
of  the  building  became  through  these  changes  by  far  the  handsomest  in  the 
village.  A  feature  of  the  front  worthy  especial  mention  is  that  it  possesses  a 
large  and  fine  sun  dial,  consisting  of  an  extended  bronze  arm,  in  the  hand  of 
which  is  held  an  inverted  lance,  and  beneath  this  is  painted  an  arc  upon  which 
in  gilt  figures  are  the  hours  of  the  day.  ranging  from  i  to  12.  The  front  is  also 
decorated  with  fine  colored  glass  from  the  works  of  the  artist,  John  LaFarge. 
With  the  changes  in  the  front  of  the  block  came  other  important  improvements. 
The  building  was  extended  at  the  rear  making  its  dimensions  100x33  feet,  its 
floors  and  walls  were  renewed,  and  its  appointments  finely  improved  in  all  ways. 


US   R^SOU^CLS  US 

With  the  development  of  their  trade  the  Rankins  have  come  to  occupy  in  addi- 
tion to  the  fine  main  store  of  the  block,  the  rear  half  of  the  adjoining  store 
which  is  used  as  a  packing  room  ;  the  basement  under  both  stores,  where  goods 
in  bulk  are  stored,  and  a  handsome  display  room  on  the  second  floor,  75x18 
feet.  A  visit  to  this  establishment  reveals  a  most  interesting  and  creditable  dis 
play  of  the  finest  wares  peculiar  to  the  trade.  Here  are  elegant  Haviland  china, 
in  tea,  fruit  and  dinner  sets,  beautiful  Limoges  and  Faience  goods  rich  Japan- 
ese porcelains,  in  salad  bowls  and  after  dinner  coffees,  fine  hand  painted  Dres- 
den china,  in  placques,  vases,  and  salad  bowls.  Here  also  may  be  seen  the 
newest  designs  in  elegant  library  lamps  of  polished  bronze,  with  prisms,  vase 
lamps  of  real  bronze  in'numerous  striking  designs,  and  other  handsome  vase 
lamps.  A  feature  meriting  special  mention  is  a  line  of  the  finest  polished  cut 
glass-ware.  These  goods  are  the  richest  cutting  produced.  Tiffany,  of  New 
York,  having  nothing  finer,  and  the  cost  is  moderate  when  the  quality  of  glass 
and  the  excellence  of  their  cutting  are  taken  into  account.  The  long  experience 
of  the  Messrs.  Rankin  in  the  trade  has  given  them  a  wide  acquaintance  with 
leading  dealers  and  manufacturers  everywhere,  and  any  articles  not  in  their 
store  can  be  procured  by  them  promptly  for  their  patrons,  at  the  same  price  asked 
in  the  cities,  and  with  the  saving  to  buyers  of  freight  and  risk  of  transportation. 
In  addition  to  a  fine  line  of  rich  and  costly  goods,  carried  by  Messrs.  Rankin, 
they  have  in  stock  a  great  variety  of  English  tea  and  dinner  sets  varying  in  cost 
from  $5.00  to  $65.00  a  set,  and  a  large  assortment  of  the  cheaper  and  more  staple 
wares  of  the  trade.  A  speciality  is  made  of  fine  and  useful  wedding,  holiday, 
and  anniversary  gifts.  With  such  a  stock  to  select  from  no  one  need  find  it  ne- 
cessary to  go  to  the  metropolis  for  fine  presents.  None  of  the  near-by  cities  con- 
tain a  store  of  the  sort  which  carries  as  fine  a  line  of  rich  goods.  The  establish- 
ment of  Messrs.  Rankin  &  Son  is  indeed  a  credit  to  Ithaca,  and  enterprise  such 
as  is  displaj-ed  by  this  firm  deserves  the  fullest  support  and  encouragement. 

JOHN  NORTMRUP. 

The  business  career  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch  embraces  a  period  of  forty 
busy,  prosperous  years.  John  Northrup's  first  venture  in  a  business  way  on  his 
own  account  was  made  in  1843,  when  he  bought  the  stock  of  Messrs.  Hunter  & 
Heggie  contained  In  a  store  which  formerly  occupied  the  site  of  the  present  store 
of  Samuel  Harris,  at  52  East  State  street.  The  stock  consisted  of  trunks,  har- 
ness, etc.  and  in  connection  with  the  sale  of  these  goods,  Mr.  Northrup  carried 
on  the  trade  of  carriage  trimming.  Two  years  and  a  half  later  he  removed  to 
the  carriage  shop  of  Wm.  S.  Hoyt,  then  occupying  the  ground  where  now  stands 
Small's  planing  mill  at  the  corner  of  Green  and  Tioga  streets.  In  1865  Mr.  Nor- 
thrup bought  of  the  James  S.  Tichenor  estate  the  brick  block  at  the  southeast 
corner  of  State  and  Aurora  streets.  There  he  began  the  sale  of  sewing  machines, 
spring  beds  and  Butterick's  patterns, abandoning  after  a  time  the  sale  of  harness, 
and  work  of  carriage  trimming.  In  1876  he  removed  to  a  store  in  the  Journal 
Block,  which  he  occupied  until  May  of  this  year,  when  he  bought  of  J.  M.  Heg- 
gie, his  fine  store  building,  at  73  East  State  street,  taking  possession  soon  after. 
Thus  after  an  interval  of  40  years  Mr.  Northrup  for  a  second  time  succeeded 


\\l\  HVAkCA    fVUO    HS 

Mr.  Heggie,  in  the  first  instance  to  his  stock  in  trade,  and  latterly  to  his  store. 
He  now  deals  extensively  in  the  New  Home  and  other  sewing  machines,  spring 
beds,  mattresses,  and  Butterick's  fashion  patterns. 

E.  ¥.  PRSGER. 

The  business  caraer  of  E.  W.  Prager  covers  a  period  of  only  eight  years  yet 
contains  much  that  is  of  interest  and  has  had  in  its  progress  not  a  fexv  achieve- 
ments upon  which  he  may  look  with  just  pride.  Mr.  Prager  was  but  seventeen 
years  of  age  when  he  began  to  give  instruction  in  dancing.  In  addition  to  his 
natural  qualifications  in  the  form  of  endurance  and  ease  of  motion,  the  young 
teacher  displayed  no  small  amount  of  patience  and  tact  in  imparting  to  pupils  the 
principles  of  dancing  The  result  has  been  that  he  has  had  large  success  in  this 
line  of  work.  During  the  eight  seasons  which  have  passed  since  Mr.  Prager's 
debut  as  a  teacher  of  dancing  he  has  given  instruction  to  many  hundreds  of  pupils 
in  Ithaca,  Cortland,  Owego,  Trumansburg,  Farmer  Village,  and  other  surround- 
ing places.  He  has  made  several  trips  to  New  York  meanwhile  to  perfect  himself 
in  new  styles  of  dancing  and  has  continued  to  progress  in  his  knowledge  of  the 
art,  as  well  as  his  ability  to  instruct  others  in  tiio  acquirement  of  its  rudiments, 
or  carry  them  successfully  through  the  more  complicated  steps  and  movements  in- 
volved in  the  many  prevailing  styles  ot  waltzes,  and  other  difficult  dances.  While 
Mr.  Prager  has  been  making  for  himself  an  enviable  standing  in  the  art  of  danc- 
ing and  its  successful  teaching,  he  has  also  been  engaged  in  a  number  of  business 
enterprises.  For  a  time,  in  connection  with  J.  H.  Prager,  he  manufactured  cigars, 
and  during  a  year  or  two  engaged  in  the  traveling  sale  of  these  goods.  In  1878. 
when  the  Lehigh  Valley  House  was  built,  he  became  with  his  father  joint  proprie- 
tor of  the  business.  Two  years  later  he  purchased  the  business  and  fine  fittings 
of  the  Windsor  restaurant,  situated  in  the  Clinton  Block,  on  North  Cayuga  street. 
This  is  one  of  the  most  handsomely  fitted  and  conveniently  appointed  restaurants 
in  this  locality.  It  is  conducted  in  an  excellent  manner  by  Mr.  Prager  and  enjoys 
a  large  and  first-class  patronage  As  a  member  of  the  Ithaca  Fire  Department 
Mr.  Prager  has  had  considerable  prominence  for  so  young  a  man.  Beginning  as 
a  lad  in  the  capacity  of  torch  boy  to  the  chief,  then  BarnunvR.  Williams,  he  rose 
in  a  few  years  to  be  foreman  of  Torrent  Hose  Co.  No.  5,  and  was  elected  to  the 
office  for  three  successive  terms,  viz,  in  1878.  1879  and  1880.  In  1881  he  was 
chosen  2d  assistant  chief  of  the  department,  and  in  the  following  year  he  became  ist 
assistant  chief.  Although  his  name  was  prominently  mentioned  as  a  possible 
candidate  for  chief  engineer  at  the  expiration  of  his  term  as  first  assistant,  his 
business  and  professional  engagements  were  such  as  to  make  it  unwise  for  him  to 
accept  the  position,  and  he  therefore  declined  to  allow  his  name  to  be  used. 
Something  over  a  year  ago  Mr.  Prager  was  tendered  the  position  of  drum  major 
of  the  soth  Regiment  Band, an  excellent  musical  organization  whose  reputation  is 
not  by  any  means  limited  to  this  place.  Although  not  familiar  with  the  duties  of 
the  position  when  appointed,  he  began  at  once  with  customary  energy  to  prepare 
himself  for  the  creditable  discharge  of  the  requirements  of  the  place.  It  was  not 
long  before  he  could  wield  the  baton  with  the  skill  of  a  veteran.  The  uniform  he 
purchased  was  one  of  the  most  showy  and  expensive  owned  by  any  drum  major 
in  the  State.  On  parade,  as  in  the  ball  room,  Mr.  Prager  is  graceful  in  move- 


US   RLSOURCLS.  \\b 

ment,  and  in  all  respects  makes  a  model  drum  major.  Recent!}7  Mr.  Prager  was 
chosen  business  manager  of  the  band,  to  succeed  S.  W.  Walker.  The  readiness 
with  which  he  adapts  himself  to  new  lines  of  work,  and  the  large  amount  of  en- 
ergy which  he  possesses  will  make  him  a  successful  manager,  and  bring  larger 
popularity  and  prosperity  to  the  soth  Band. 

NOURSE  &  DEDERER. 

Several  years  ago  a  business  was  started  by  Charles  M.  Titus  in  the  east 
store  of  the  fine  block  on  West  State  street  bearing  his  name,  which  in  the  fall  of 
1881  passed  into  the  hands  of  Messrs.  Nourse  &  Dederer,  and  by  them  has  been 
developed  into  a  large  and  important  enterprise.  The  businesses  conducted  by 
the  present  proprietors,  consists  of  the  manufacture  of  light  and  heavy  platform 
wagons,  fine  buggies  in  many  styles,  and  two-seated  carriages.  They  are  agents 
here  for  the  celebrated  Jackson  lumber  wagon,  the  Triumph  reaper,  Phelps  chilled 
plow,  Clipper  mower,  and  Farmers'  Friend  grain  drill.  Their  store,  which  is  a 
very  large  one,  contains  a  complete  line  of  carriage  goods  of  all  kinds,  horse 
clothing,  harnesses,  single  and  double,  light  and  heavy,  whips,  brushes,  etc. 
The  establishment  of  Messrs.  Nourse  &  Dederer  is  a  first  class  one  in  all  respects, 
and  their  stock  not  surpassed  by  that  of  any  similar  concern  in  this  part  of  the 
state.  It  supplies  a  need  long  felt  in  this  place,  and  the  rapidly  growing  patron- 
age of  the  firm  is  a  forcible  indication  of  the  excellence  of  the  goods  handled, 
and  of  the  thorough  trustworthiness  of  the  gentlemen  who  conduct  the  business. 

JfiMIESON  &  MC  KIMEY. 

It  is  a  standing  joke  that  plumbers  invariably  get  very  rich  in  a  few  years. 
While  this  is  far  from  being  true,  there  are  occasionally  cases,  in  which,  as  in 
other  occupations,  the  honesty,  fair-dealing,  and  enterprise  of  the  plumber  find 
just  recognition  at  the  hands  of  the  public,  and  a  fair  amount  of  business  pros- 
perity is  the  result.  The  experience  of  the  firm  of  Jamieson  &  McKinney,  the 
well-known  and  reliable  plumbers,  gas  and  steam  fitters,  and  wholesale  dealers 
in  plumber's  goods,  of  this  place,  has  fortunately  been  of  this  sort.  In  May, 
1873,  the  senior  member  of  this  firm,  John  M.  Jamieson,  a  practical  plumber  and 
gas  fitter,  bought  of  the  Ithaca  Gas  &  Water  Company,  their  stock  in  trade  and 
good  will.  There  was  at  the  time  in  the  employ  of  the  Gas  &  Water  Company,  a 
young  man,  who  was  recommended  to  Mr.  Jamieson,  as  a  faithful,  valuable  clerk 
and  bookkeeper.  The  business  prospered  in  Mr.  Jamieson's  hands  from  the  first. 
From  doing  the  bulk  of  the  work  in  Ithaca,  including  the  plumbing  of  a  number 
of  the  many  large  and  fine  residences  erected  on  East  Hill  during  the  last  ten 
years,  the  business  has  extended  into  surrounding  counties,  in  which  many  large 
contracts  for  steam  and  gas  fitting  have  been  skillfully  and  successfully  executed. 
The  plumbing  of  the  splendid  McGraw-Fiske  mansion  was  done  by  Mr.  Jamie- 
son  and  his  corps  of  workmen.  In  February,  1883,  James  A.  McKinney,  the 
young  man  who  began  with  Mr.  Jamieson,  and  had  served  faithfully  and  well 
during  the  preceding  ten  years,  became  a  member  of  the  firm.  Jamieson  &  Mc- 
Kinney have  now  on  hand  the  plumbing  and  steam  fitting  for  the  new  Physical 
Laborator}'  of  Cornell  University,  and  the  large  depot  building  of  the  Lehigh 
Valley  R.  R.  Co.,  at  Wilkesbarre,  Pa.  They  employ  a  force  of  from  twelve  to 


\\fc  Y\  \\KCA   KUtt   US 

fifteen  men,  and  are  wholesale  dealers  in  pipe,  steam  and  gas  fittings,  and  plumb- 
er's materials.  All  important  work  is  done  under  the  personal  supervision  of  the 
senior  member  of  the  firm,  who  is  one  of  the  most  experienced  and  successful 
workmen  in  his  line  in  this  section  of  the  state.  There  is  without  doubt  a  long 
and  highly  successful  business  career  in  store  for  this  pushing,  worthy  firm. 

CENTRAL  N.  Y.  ACCIDENT  AND  RELIEF  ASSOCIATION. 

The  Central  New  York  Accident  and  Relief  Association  of  Ithaca  opened 
their  books  for  business  in  1881.  The  founders  are  business  men  of  Ithaca  who 
felt  confident  that  there  was  a  demand  for  such  an  organization  in  Central  New 
York.  A  charter  was  applied  for  and  granted,  permanently  locating  the  organi- 
zation in  Ithaca.  With  but  very  little  soliciting  the  society  has  grown  to  a  mem- 
ship  of  about  800,  already  giving  a  large  insurance  at  a  trifling  cost.  The 
amount  of  benefit  will  soon  reach  $2000  to  the  heirs  of  members  in  case  of  death, 
one-half  of  which  is  paid  to  the  insured  while  living  in  case  of  permanent  total 
disability  by  accident.  The  death  assessment  of  the  oldest  member  during  the 
present  year  has  been  but  $1.12  and  to  the  youngest  member  but  50  cents.  The 
schedule  of  assessments  is  equitably  graded,  ranging  from  50  cents  to  $1.12  ac- 
cording to  age.  It  comes  within  the  ability  of  every  laboring  and  business  man 
to  meet  and  thereby  make  extra  provisions  for  his  family  against  the  day  of  ad 
versity.  Local  boards  have  been  established  in  nearly  every  town  in  this  and 
adjoining  counties.  Newfield  reports  60,  Spencer  80,  Waverly  54,  Ithaca  120, 
other  towns  ranging  from  10  to  25  members.  The  organization  has  every  pros- 
pect of  becoming  one  of  the  strongest  as  well  as  cheapest  and  most  secure  bene- 
ficiary societies  in  the  state.  The  following  are  the  directors  and  officers  :  Di- 
rectors— Levi  Kenney,  Dr.  E.  J.  Morgan,  Sen.,  F.  M.  Bush,  Dr.  E.  J.  Morgan, 
Jr.,  O.  P.  Hyde,  A.  N.  Hungerford,  D.  F.  VanVleet,  W.  O.  Wyckoff,  George 
V.  Benjamin,  George  H.  Northrup,  Ithaca  ;  William  F.  Seeley,  Waverly.  Offi- 
cers— President,  Levi  Kenney  ;  Treasurer,  George  H.  Northrup  ;  Medical  Di- 
rector, Dr.  E.  J.  Morgan,  Jr.  ;  General  Agent,  F.  M.  Bush  ;  Secretary  and  Su 
perintendent  of  Agencies,  George  V.  Benjamin. 

HARRISON  HOWARD. 

The  business  of  which  Harrison  Howard  is  now  the  sole  proprietor  has  been 
in  existence  for  sixty-one  years,  having  been  established  by  the  late  Frederick 
Deming  in  1822.  Originally  the  business  was  located  in  a  store  on  the  present 
site  of  the  Deming  Block,  but  later  was  removed  to  the  storerooms  now  occupied. 
In  1857  Howard  &  Spencer  purchased  the  business.  Thomas  Clement,  of  Lock- 
port,  N.  Y.,  purchased  Spencer's  interest  in  1861,  and  the  firm  of  Howard  &  Cle- 
ment conducted  the  business  until  September,  1882,  since  which  time  Mr.  How- 
ard has  been  the  sole  proprietor.  This  old  established  and  favorably  known  house 
has  for  many  years  enjoyed  an  excellent  patronage,  and  held  its  trade  despite  the 
efforts  of  pushing  competitors.  The  line  of  goods  in  stock  is  very  large  and  em- 
braces, in  addition  to  great  quantities  of  staple  wares,  much  rich  and  expensive 
furniture,  and  all  that  is  desirable  in  the  novelties  of  the  trade.  Mr.  Howard  has 
been  not  only  a  thorough  and  successful  business  man,  but  he  has  been  one  of  the 


ns 


\n 


strongest  supporters  of  popular  education.  He  was  intimately  associated  with 
Mr.  Cornell  and  other  gentlemen  in  the  formation  of  plans  for  the  establishment 
of  Cornell  University  and  has  always  continued  a  staunch  friend  of  the  insti- 
tution. 

THE  ITHflCS  HOTEL. 

The  great  fire  of  August,  1871,  destroying  the  old  Ithaca  Hotel,  the  large  frame 
structure  built  in  1809  by  Judge  Gere,  work  was  begun  in  the  fall  on  the  hand- 
some five-story  brick  building  now  bearing  the  name  and  in  1872  it  was  completed 
at  a  cost  of  $64,000  and  opened  to  the  public,  having  been  finely  fitted  up  and 
furnished  throughout.  The  old  Ithaca  Hotel  had  been  popularly  managed  by  Col. 
W.  H.  Welch  since  1866,  and  a  few  years  prior  to  its  destruction  Orlando  B. 
Welch  had  been  associated  with  his  father  in  its  management.  Under  the  proprie- 
ship  of  Col.  Welch  &  Son  the  new  Ithaca  was  opened  and  successfully  conducted 
until  the  death  of  Col.  Welch  in  1873,  when  a  stock  company  bought  the  proper- 
ty and  the  proprietorship  of  the  hotel  passed  into  the  hands  of  Alexander  Sher- 
man &  Son,  then  recently  proprietors  of  the  Sherman  House,  Syracuse.  In  1880 
Frederick  Sherman  withdrew  and  returned  to  Syracuse,  leaving  the  business  here 
in  the  hands  of  his  father,  who  has  since  had  the  entire  charge  of  it.  The  large 
responsibilities  and  very  considerable  labor  required  in  the  management  of  this 
important  enterprise.in  which  Mr.  Sherman  has  for  several  years  been  assisted  by 
Porter  B.  Jones,  have  of  late  weighed  heavily  on  him,  on  account  of  his  advanc- 
ing years,  and  it  is  understood  that  he  meditates  retiring  at  no  distant  day  from 
the  conduct  of  this  fine  business.  No  house  in  this  section  of  the  State  is  more 
eligibly  located,  or  better  adapted  to  the  enjoyment  of  a  large  and  paying  patron- 
age, and  with  the  growing  business  importance  of  Ithaca  as  well  as  the  wider  ex- 
tension of  the  acquaintance  of  the  public  with  the  great  natural  attractions  of  this 
place  and  its  vicinity  as  a  summer  resort,  the  business  of  the  hotels  in  general, 
and  of  this  fine  property  in  particular  is  destined  to  greatly  increase  and 
prosper. 


THOMSS  F,  DOHERTY. 

From  time  to  time  there  have  been  various  billiard  parlors  in  operation  in 
Ithaca,  some  of  which  have  had  fora  season  a  large  patronage  and  have  been  the 
source  of  considerable  profit  tothe  proprietors.  Possibly  the  most  successful  ven- 
ture of  this  kind  made  here  is  the  business  conducted  by  Thos.  F.  Doherty  in  the 
Grant  Block,  over  14  and  16  East  State  street.  Mr.  Doherty  began  this  business 
in  the  spring  of  1879,  when  four  Collender  billiard  and  two  pool  tables  were  put  in 
to  his  parlors.  The  excellent  manner  in  which  the  business  was  conducted,  to- 
gether with  the  superiority  of  the  tables  and  equipments,  and  personal  populari- 
ty of  the  proprietor  soon  won  for  his  place  a  large  and  first  class  patronage,  and 
this  prosperity  has  continued  steadily  up  to  the  present  time.  Recently  the 
rooms  were  handsomely  decorated  and  improved  making  them  a  model  of  at- 
tractive neatness. 

THE  TOMPKINS  HOUSE. 

This  popular  and  well-known  hostlery  has  a  history  running  back  to  1832,  when 
a  small  one-story-and-a-half  frame  building  occupied  the  site  of  the  at- 
tractive four  story  structure  now  standing  at  the  northwest  corner  of  Seneca  and 
Aurora  streets.  Very  little  change  was  made  in  the  appearance  of  the  premises 
until  1865,  when  Samuel  Holmes  and  his  son  in-law,  A.  B.  Stamp,  bought  the 
property.  Messrs.  Holmes  &  Stamp  caused  the  house  to  be  completely  re-built, 
and  greatly  enlarged  and  improved  the  place.  Under  the  direction  of  these  well- 
known  and  successful  proprietors  the  Tompkins  House  soon  became  very  popu- 
lar, and  a  fine  patronage  was  received.  Mr.  Stamp's  health  failed  after  a  few 
years  and  he  was  obliged  to  withdraw  from  the  joint  proprietorship  of  the  house. 
After  remaining  several  years  on  a  farm,  he  returned  to  Ithaca  and  again  became 
a  part  owner  of  the  Tompkins  House.  In  1877  Mr  Holmes  withdrew,  leaving  Mr. 

Stamp  to  conduct  the  business  alone,  and  under  his  capable  management  the 
Tompkins  House  has  enjoyed  for  six  years  an  uninterrupted  tide  of  prosperity. 

Within  the  past  year  the  house  has  undergone  a  thorough  renovation,  many  im- 
provements have  been  made,  and  it  is  now  one  of  the  best  hotels  in  Ithaca. 

E.  K.  JOHNSON. 

One  of  the  neatest  and  best  kept  retail  groceries  in  Ithaca  is  the  store  of  E.K. 
Johnson,  located  in  the  Hibbard  Block  at  the  corner  of  State  and  Cayuga  streets. 
The  site  of  the  present  stoie  is  noted  in  the  history  of  Ithaca  as  the  scene  of  the 
first  murder  occurring  within  the  village  precincts.  In  a  small  frame  building 
which  formerly  stood  on  this  ground,  Guy  C.  Clark,  a  shoemaker,  brutally  killed 
his  wife.  Upon  the  completion  of  the  brick  block  in  1847  the  late  H.  F.  Hib- 
bard opened  therein  a  general  merchandise  and  variety  store:  Upon  his  sign 
was  a  bee  hive  and  the  busy,  bustling  appearance  of  the  store  at  most  times  of 
the  day  or  evening  made  this  device  significant  and  appropriate.  The  business 
passed  successively  through  the  hands  of  H.  F.  Hibbard,  Hibbard  &  Atwater, 
Atwater  &  Nichols,  Kenney,  Byington  &  Co.  and  Col.  K.  S.  Van  Voorhees,  who 
managed  it  as  a  co-operative  store.  In  1869  when  this  business  was  about  to 
collapse  the  stock  was  purchased  by  the  Johnson  Brothers,  E.  K.  and  D.  N. 
This  copartnership  continued  until  1878,  since  which  time  the  business  has  been 
conducted  solely  by  E.  K.  Johnson,  who  in  addition  to  being  one  of  the  most 


ns  RLSOURCLS.  \\<a 

popular  and  thriving  younger  merchants  of  Ithaca,  enjoys  the  distinction  of  hav- 
ing been  one  of  the  best  County  Treasurers  Tompkins  County  ever  had. 

F.  ¥.  BROOKS. 

No  person  with  any  natural  refinement  can  enter  a  store  such  as  that  of  F. 
W.  Brooks,  with  its  beautiful  plate  glass  front,  its  glistening  cases  filled  with  rich 
silver  ware,  elegant  jewelry,  delicate  china,  and  a  host  of  attractive  articles  of 
kindred  character,  without  experiencing  a  feeling  of  admiration  and  having  his 
taste  for  the  beautiful  increased  thereby.  Its  proprietor,  Frederick  W.  Brooks, 
though  still  one  of  the  younger  business  men  of  the  place,  has  had  a  considerable 
practical  experience.  After  a  faithful  apprenticeship  of  several  years  duration  at 
the  old  established  jewelry  house  of  Joseph  Burritt,  Mr.  Brooks  in  1864  became 
a  partner  of  T.  C.  Burritt,  the  firm  name  being  Burritt,  Brooks  &  Co.  In  1875  he 
withdrew  from  this  copartnership  and  taking  the  neat  store  at  50  East  State  street, 
began  business  on  his  own  account.  An  excellent  trade  was  established  at  this 
place  but  in  course  of  time  the  business  outgrew  the  dimensions  of  the  store,  and 
negotiations  were  opened  with  Judge  D.  Boardman  for  the  lease  oi  the  store  at 
54  East  State  street,  which  was  then  in  course  of  repair  and  improvement.  This 
attractive  place  of  business  Mr.  Brooks  took  possession  of  in  November,  1882. 
Many  of  his  friends  predicted  that  disaster  would  follow  this  movement,  but  his 
enterprise,  however,  did  not  bring  him  loss.  On  the  contrary,  a  much  larger  pat 
ronage  was  soon  secured.  A  glance  through  the  establishment  now  reveals  a 
most  attractive  display  of  rich  wares.  Here  are  watches  in  great  variety,  fine 
jewelry,  diamonds,  silver  and  plated  ware,  fine  table  cutlery,  beautiful  lamps  of 
unique  design  and  richest  workmanship,  delicate  Sevres,  and  Limoges  China 
and  Wedgwood  ware,  porcelain  placques,  and  a  host  of  other  elegant  and  expen- 
sive articles.  In  the  department  of  engraving  and  repairing  the  most  skillful 
workmanship  is  displayed,  Mr.  Brooks  retaining  the  services  in  this  connection 
of  his  brother,  C.  H.  Brooks,  an  experienced  practical  jeweler.  No  finer  selection 
of  wedding,  birthday  or  holiday  presents  could  be  made  in  the  metropolis  than 
may  be  had  at  this  finely  conducted  store.  It  is  a  pleasure  to  write  of  a  busi- 
ness so  admirably  complete  in  all  its  features  as  that  which  has  been  briefly  de- 
scribed in  this  sketch  and  a  high  degree  of  success  is  justly  due  its  worthy  pro- 
prietor. 

PARIS  8c  EMIG. 

The  shaving  and  bathing  establishment  of  Messrs.  Paris  &  Emig  located  in 
the  Ithaca  Hotel  Block  is  probably  the  largest  and  most  completely  appointed 
shop  of  the  kind  in  any  of  the  smaller  cities  of  the  State.  The  copartnership  ex- 
isting between  Harry  Paris  and  Adam  Emig  was  formed  in  1878.  The  fine  rooms 
in  the  Hotel  Block  were  completely  refitted  and  finely  improved  making  them  the 
handsomest  place  for  the  business  of  any  in  this  section  of  the  State.  By  close 
attention  to  business  and  the  most  capable  management  a  large  patronage  was 
soon  secured  and  the  excellent  reputation  early  obtained  has  been  continuously 
enjoyed  and  a  large  and  growing  trade  is  now  done  at  this  establishment.  Six  ex- 
pert barbers  are  employed,  the  bath  rooms  are  finely  conducted  and  in  all  respects 
the  shop  of  Paris  &  Emig  is  a  first-class  one  and  worthy  of  continued  prosperity. 


\20  UHNCN   M\0   US   RtSOURCtS. 

¥.  E.  ¥ILLSON. 

Among  the  many  first-class  mercantile  establishments  in  Ithaca,  none  are 
more  deserving  of  mention  in  this  work  than  the  store  of  W.  H.  Willson,  in  the 
Sprague  Block,  No.  51  East  State  street.  This  is  one  of  the  most  elegant  stores 
in  the  village  and  contains  a  stock  of  hats,  caps,  gloves,  furs  and  robes  that 
would  only  be  expected  from  such  an  establishment  in  the  larger  cities.  It  is 
undoubtedly  the  largest  stock  of  these  goods  in  the  county,  and  the  fact  that 
many  country  merchants  come  here  to  lay  in  their  stock  is  an  evidence  that  the 
stock  and  prices  are  appreciated.  Mr.  Willson's  trade  is  both  wholesale  and 
retail.  He  is  a  native  of  Ithaca,  and  for  a  number  of  years  was  a  commercial 
traveler  for  a  prominent  New  York  house.  In  1868  he  returned  to  his  native 
place  and  opened  a  hat  store  in  a  building  near  the  old  Ithaca  Hotel.  Three 
years  ago  he  secured  the  elegant  storeroom  in  the  Sprague  Block  and  here  his 
business  has  largely  increased,  as  it  properly  should  with  such  splendid  facili- 
ties for  making  a  pleasing  display  of  goods,  and  he  is  now  recognized  as  the 
leader  in  this  particular  line  of  trade  in  this  section. 

J.  T.  MORRISON. 

One  of  the  most  successful  merchants  in  Ithaca,  J.  T  Morrison  can  look 
back  with  pride  upon  the  many  years  he  has  spent  in  the  mercantile  trade. 
When  quite  a  young  boy  he  began  his  apprenticeship  as  a  clerk  in  the  service  of 
Ludlowville  and  Rochester  merchants.  Four  years  of  his  early  life  was  thus 
passed  in  gaining  a  knowledge  of  busines  affairs,  and  after  three  more  years 
thus  given  to  the  acquirement  of  experience — the  latter  three  at  the  store  of 
Finch  &  Stowell,  where  the  store  of  Marsh  &  Hall  now  stands — he  embarked  in 
business  for  himself  at  Ludlowville,  in  1851.  For  seven  years  he  conducted  bus- 
iness there  with  much  success,  and  in  1858  removed  to  Ithaca  and  formed  the  co- 
partnership of  Morrison,  Woodworth  &  Granger,  at  No.  22  East  State  street.  In 
1860  the  firm  was  changed  to  Morrison  &  Woodworth,  and  in  1861  it  became 
Morrison,  Hawkins&  Co.  At  this  location  Mr.Morrison  continued  until  1869,  when 
here  solved  to  be  his  own  partner,  and  severing  his  connections  with  the  firm  of 
Morrison,  Hawkins  &  Co.,  opened  a  store  at  the  corner  of  Tioga  and  State 
streets,  his  present  location.  Just  at  this  time  the  great  shrinkage  in  the  value 
of  merchandise  occurred  which  proved  disastrous  to  so  many  merchants  through- 
out the  country,  and  it  was  then  he  displayed  his  peculiar  adaptability  for 
business,  for  despite  the  unfavorable  condition  of  affairs  in  the  country,  he  suc- 
cessful^ passed  through  the  ordeal  and  probably  made  more  money  than  at  any 
time  during  his  previous  business  experience.  Again  in  1873,  was  he  severely 
tried,  a  portion  of  his  store  building  being  burned  to  the  ground,  entailing  con- 
siderable loss,  but  he  was  equal  to  the  occasion,  and  immediately  re  building 
began  business  with  renewed  vigor.  Success  has  since  uniformly  marked  his  ca- 
reer, and  to-day  he  occupies  a  position  that  is  unassailable.  Originally  dealing 
in  dry  goods  exclusively,  about  eight  years  ago  Mr.  Morrison  added  carpets  to 
his  stock,  and  last  year  in  pursuance  of  the  policy  of  his  competitors,  added 
merchant  tailoring,  employing  his  own  cutter  and  making  the  department  com- 
plete. Two  storerooms,  forming  an  L,  are  occupied,  the  entrance  to  the  dry 


\TV\NCN    kUtt   \1S   RLSOURCLS.  V2L\ 

goods  department  being  on  State,  and  to  the  merchant  tailoring  department  on 
Tioga  street.  The  basement  is  occupied  by  the  carpet  department.  Large  and 
fine  stocks  of  goods  fill  every  department,  and  it  is  safe  to  say  there  is  not  an  es- 
tablishment in  the  village  in  which  the  details  are  more  closely  looked  after  or 
that  is  better  managed.  The  business  this  year  is  showing  an  increase  of  nearly 
50  per  cent  over  preceding  ones,  and  the  sales  will  probably  amount  to  $65,000 
for  the  year. 

JflMES  QUIGG. 

David  Quigg  was  a  native  of  New  Hampshire,  and  one  of  those  sturdy 
young  men  who  form  the  pioneer  element  in  new  and  unimproved  countries. 
He  was  born  in  1781  and  was  only  eighteen  years  of  age  when  he  left  his  home 
to  become  one  of  the  settlers  in  the  then  uninhabited  wilds  of  Central  New  York. 
He  bought  a  piece  of  land  near  Spencer  and  had  cleared  off  a  portion  of  it  when 
he  became  somewhat  dissatisfied  with  his  land  on  account  of  its  stony  nature 
and  returned  to  his  "down  East"  home.  He  was  much  attracted,  however,  by 
the  opportunities  offered  in  this  new  country  and  in  1801  returned.  Mr.  Quigg 
bought  a  piece  of  land  on  the  south  side  of  Cascadilla  Creek,  just  opposite 
Williams'  Cascadilla  Mills,  and  building  upon  it  a  log  structure  he  opened  the 
first  store  in  which  goods  were  offered  for  sale  in  this  vicinity.  Every  merchanta- 
ble article  was  kept  on  sale —to  eat,  to  drink,  to  heal  the  sick,  clothe  the  body  or 
till  the  soil.  Here  he  remained  in  business  for  some  years  and  when  the  village 
began  to  grow  he  moved  to  Seneca  street,  opposite  the  present  site  of  the  Tomp- 
kins  House.  He  retired  from  business  with  a  competence  in  1848  and  left  his 
store  in  the  hands  of  his  sons,  J.  W.  and  James  Quigg.  In  1853  they  removed 
to  No.  32  East  State  street,  where  the  business  was  continued  by  the  brothers  as 
a  firm  until  1865,  since  which  time  it  has  been  conducted  by  James  Quigg  alone. 
David  Quigg  died  in  1862,  having  lived  to  see  the  village  in  which  he  opened 
the  first  store  when  it  contained  only  two  or  three  houses,  become  one  of  the 
largest  ana  most  prosperous  villages  in  New  York,  and  his  son  occupying  the 
same  position,  relatively,  to  its  business  interests  that  he  did  when  he  was  a 
young  man  and  the  village  was  in  its  infancy.  The  business  of  James  Quigg  is 
in  a  flourishing  condition,  and  the  recollections  of  himself  and  his  deceased 
father,  could  they  be  obtained,  would  forma  complete  history  of  the  "Forest 
City,"  for  in  father  and  son  has  been  witnessed  its  rise,  progress  and  growth. 

H.  M.  STRflUSSMM. 

The  "Banner  Clothing  Store"  is  so  well  known  to  all  residents  of  Tompkins 
County  that  a  brief  sketch  of  the  establishment  and  its  proprietor  will  prove  of 
interest  to  many  readers.  Mr.  H.  M.  Straussman  is  a  native  of  Germany,  and 
came  to  Ithaca  from  New  York  City  about  twelve  years  ago  Pleased  with  the 
locality,  he  opened  a  store  on  State  street  for  the  sale  of  ready-made  clothing  and 
merchant  tailoring.  The  goods  in  which  he  dealt,  and  the  principles  upon  which 
his  business  was  conducted,  merited  and  met  with  popular  approval,  and  as  a 
consequence  new  customers  were  constantly  being  added  to  his  list  of  patrons. 
His  business  steadily  increased  and  his  success  as  a  clothier  became  so  marked 


V22. 

as  to  draw  to  his  store  the  best  class  of  custom.  About  four  years  ago,  his  busi- 
ness having  entirely  outgrown  the  quarters  occupied,  he  secured  the  three  story 
building  at  No.  40  East  State  street  and  fitted  it  up  for  conducting  the  business  on 
a  large  scale.  Here  his  success  has  been  still  more  marked,  and  it  has  come  to 
be  acknowledged  that  he  has  secured  the  position  of  the  leading  clothier  in  Ithaca 
by  his  enterprise  and  appreciation  of  the  wants  of  the  people.  The  building  in 
which  is  the  "Banner  Clothing  Store"  is  a  tine  three-story  brick  structure  and  gives 
excellent  opportunities  for  the  manufacture  and  display  of  goods.  The  first  floor 
is  devoted  to  the  display  of  ready  made  suitings  and  gents'  furnishing  goods.  On 
the  second  floor  are  shown  overcoats  and  cloths.  The  third  floor  is  occupied  by 
the  tailoring  department.  Mr.  Straussman  employs  eighteen  people  and  is  un- 
doubtedly the  largest  and  leading  clothier  in  the  county.  It  is  well  known  that 
he  has  always  kept  the  better  grades  of  ready  made  clothing,  and  in  the  merchant 
tailoring  department  principally  imported  goods  are  made  up.  To  the  knowledge 
of  these  facts  by  the  people  he  is  doubtless  largely  indebted  for  his  success.  That 
this  success  will  continue  and  he  retain  the  position  he  has  gained  and  now  oc- 
cupies, as  the  leader  in  this  trade,  there  is  no  doubt  in  the  minds  of  those  who 
are  acquainted  with  Mr.  Straussman  and  his  honorable  methods  of  doing  business. 

CONCLUSION. 

My  task  is  done.  If  you  have  continued  with  me  from  the  beginning,  re- 
mained my  companion  through  all  my  ramble  in  and  about  the  "Forest  City," 
you  must  now  be  of  the  opinion  that  Ithaca  is  more  than  an  "obscure  village  in 
the  central  part  of  New  York ;"  that  it  is  really  an  industrial,  as  well  as  an  educa- 
tional centre  of  importance,  and  that  here  is  one  of  the  most  striking  combina- 
tions of  romantic  scenery,  advanced  industry  and  educational  development  to  be 
found  in  all  this  great  country.  And  now  I  will  say  adieu,  hoping  that  [  have 
not  only  interested  you,  but  that  my  work  will  prove  beneficial  to  the  village  of 
Ithaca  as  well  as  to  you,  by  thus  calling  your  attention  to  the  'Forest  City"  and 
its  numerous  attractions. 


14  DAY  USE 

RETURN  TO  DESK  FROM  WHICH  BORROWED 

LOAN  DEPT. 

This  book  is  due  on  the  last  date  stamped  below,  or 

on  the  date  to  which  renewed. 
Renewed  books  are  subject  to  immediate  recall. 


rn 


LD  21A-50m-4,'60 
(A9562slO)476B 


General  Library 

Unirersity  of  California 

Berkeley 


222603 


